Use of an anthranilic diamide derivatives with heteroaromatic and heterocyclic substituents in combination with a biologicalcontrol agent

ABSTRACT

A composition comprising a compound of formula (I): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , A, Q and n can have the definitions stated in the description, and at least one biological control agent selected from bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts, or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally an inoculant, for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruits or vegetables caused by insects, nematodes and phytopathogens.

The present invention relates to the use of anthranilic diamidederivatives with heteroaromatic and heterocyclic substituents incombination with a biological control agent as well as to a preparationmethod of compositions containing anthranilic diamide derivatives and aselected biological control agent, and compositions containinganthranilic diamide derivatives and at least one biological controlagent.

It is already known that certain anthranilamides (e.g. WO 01/70671, WO03/015519, WO 03/016284, WO 03/015518, WO 03/024222, WO 03/016282, WO03/016283, WO 03/062226, WO 03/027099, WO 04/027042, WO 04/033468, WO2004/046129, WO 2004/067528, WO 2005/118552, WO 2005/077934, WO2005/085234, WO 2006/023783, WO 2006/000336, WO 2006/040113, WO2006/111341, WO 2007/006670, WO 2007/024833, WO 2007/020877) are usefulfor combating harmful pests which occur in agriculture. Several methodsto apply such compounds are described therein.

However, environmental and economic requirements imposed in modern-daycrop protection agents are continually increasing. This is particularlytrue with regard to the spectrum of action, toxicity, selectivity,application rate, and formation of residues. Additionally, when applyingagrochemicals, there are always the problems with resistances. Thus,there is a constant need for developing new, alternative plantprotection agents which in some areas at least help to fulfil theabovementioned requirements. Moreover, there is a constant need todevelop novel plant treatment agents which are particularlyenvironmentally friendly. Also, as concerns regarding a possible impactof agrochemicals on the environment and the health of humans and animalsare growing in the public opinion, efforts have to be made to reduce theamount of agrochemicals applied.

The inventors now surprisingly found that specific anthranilic diamidederivatives can be combined with selected biological control agents andthus satisfying above mentioned needs. The inventors even found that asynergistic activity increase occurs by combining selected anthranilicdiamide derivatives with selected biological control agents.

Thus, the invention is directed to the use of anthranilic acid diamidederivatives with heteroaromatic and heterocyclic substituents of formula(I)

in which

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, amino or hydroxyl or represents C₁-C₆-alkyl,    C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl each of which is    unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or    different substituents selectable independently of one another from    halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, (C₁-C₄-alkoxy)carbonyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino or    (C₁-C₄-alkyl)C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-amino,-   R² represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,    C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylamino,    di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, C₂-C₆alkoxycarbonyl or    C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl,-   R³ represents hydrogen or represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy,    C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl each of which is optionally substituted    one or more times by identical or different substituents selectable    independently of one another from halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl,    C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy,    C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkyl sulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,    C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl or C₃-C₆-tri-alkylsilyl,-   R³ further represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,    C₂-C₆-alkynyl each of which is optionally substituted one or more    times by identical or different substituents selectable    independently of one another from amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino or a    5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring,-   R³ likewise further represents C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl,    C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl and C₄-C₁₂-bicycloalkyl, the    substituents being selectable independently of one another from    halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl,    C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,    C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,    C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl or a 5- or 6-membered    heteroaromatic ring,-   R² and R³ can be joined to one another via two to six carbon atoms    and form a ring which where appropriate additionally contains a    further nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen atom and where appropriate may    be substituted one to four times by C₁-C₂-alkyl, halogen, cyano,    amino or C₁-C₂-alkoxy,-   R² and R³ further together represent ═S(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂ or    ═S(O)(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂,-   R⁴ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,    C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, SF₅, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio,    C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino,    (C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino, (C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino,    (C₁-C₄-haloalkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl, or-   two R⁴s, via adjacent carbon atoms, form a ring which represents    —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₅—, —(CH═CH—)₂—, —OCH₂O—, —O(CH₂)₂O—,    —OCF₂O—, —(CF₂)₂O—, —O(CF₂)₂O—, —(CH═CH—CH═N)— or —(CH═CH—N═CH)—,-   two R⁴s further, via adjacent carbon atoms, form the following fused    rings, which where appropriate are substituted one or more times by    identical or different substituents selectable independently of one    another from hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,    C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆-alkoxy,    C₁-C₄-alkylthio(C₁-C₆-alkyl), C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl(C₁-C₆-alkyl),    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl(C₁-C₆-alkyl), C₁-C₄-alkylamino,    di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino or C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino,

-   n represents 0 to 3,-   R⁵ represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,    C₁-C₆-halocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,    C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy,    C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl,    C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphinyl,    C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl, halogen, cyano, nitro or    C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl,-   R⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,    C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl or

-   R⁶ further represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkoxy,-   R⁷ represents independently at each occurrence hydrogen,    C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, halogen, cyano,    nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or    C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio,-   m represents 0 to 4,-   X represents N, CH, CF, CCl, CBr or Cl,-   A represents —CH₂—, —CH₂O—, —CH₂OCH₂—, —CH₂S—, —CH₂SCH₂—,    —CH₂N(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-, —CH₂N(C₁-C₆-alkyl)CH₂—, —CH[CO₂(C₁-C₆-alkyl)]-,    —CH(CN)—, —CH(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-, —C(di-C₁-C₆-alkyl)-, —CH₂CH₂— or    —C═NO(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-,-   Q represents a 5- or 6-membered heteroatomatic ring or an aromatic    8-, 9- or 10-membered fused heterobicyclic ring system, the ring    system being unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by    identical or different substituents selectable independently of one    another from hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,    C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,    C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, CO₂H, CO₂NH₂,    NO₂, OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio,    C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino,    (C₁-C₆-alkyl)carbonyl, (C₁-C₆-alkoxy)carbonyl,    (C₁-C₆-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)aminocarbonyl,    tri(C₁-C₂-alkyl)silyl and (C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino,-   Q further represents a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic or    heterocyclic ring or an aromatic 8-, 9- or 10-membered fused    heterobicyclic ring system, the ring or the ring system being    unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or    different substituents selectable independently of one another from    hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,    C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,    C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, CO₂H, CO₂NH₂,    NO₂, OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio,    C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino,    (C₁-C₆-alkyl)carbonyl, (C₁-C₆-alkoxy)carbonyl,    (C₁-C₆-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)aminocarbonyl,    tri(C₁-C₂-alkyl)silyl and (C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino,    -   or the substituents being selectable independently of one        another from phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring,        it being possible for phenyl or the ring to be unsubstituted or        substituted one or more times by identical or different        C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,        C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,        C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy substituents,        whereas the compounds of the general formula (I) also encompass        N-oxides and salts,        in combination with at least one biological control agent        selected from bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria,        fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes,        and botanical extracts, or products produced by microorganisms        including proteins or secondary metabolites, optionally in the        presence of inoculants, for reducing overall damage of plants        and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruits or        vegetables caused by insects, nematodes and phytopathogens.

Preferred radical definitions for the formula (I) given above arespecified below.

-   R¹ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,    C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, cyano(C₁-C₆-alkyl),    C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,    C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl or    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl.-   R¹ more preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, cyclopropyl,    cyanomethyl, methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, methylsulphinylmethyl    or methylsulphonylmethyl.-   R¹ very preferably represents hydrogen.-   R² preferably represents hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl.-   R² more preferably represents hydrogen or methyl.-   R² very preferably represents hydrogen.-   R³ preferably represents hydrogen or represents C₁-C₆-alkyl,    C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl each of which is    unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or    different substituents selectable from halogen, cyano, nitro,    hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,    C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,    C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl,-   R³ further preferably represents C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl and    C₄-C₁₀-bicycloalkyl, the substituents being selectable independently    of one another from halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, C₁-C₆-alkyl,    C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,    C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl,-   R³ more preferably represents hydrogen or represents C₁-C₆-alkyl,    C₁-C₆-alkoxy each of which is unsubstituted or substituted one or    more times by identical or different substituents selectable    independently of one another from halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl,    C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy,    C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,    C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl or C₃-C₆-tri-alkylsilyl,-   R³ further more preferably represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is    unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or    different substituents selectable independently of one another from    halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁₋₄-alkylsulphimino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,    C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl,-   R³ very preferably represents C₁-C₄-alkyl (methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,    isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl) or    cyano-C₁-C₃-alkyl (cyanomethyl, 1-cyanoethyl, 2-cyanoethyl,    1-cyano-n-propyl, 2-cyano-n-propyl, 3-cyano-n-propyl,    1-cyanoisopropyl, 2-cyanoisopropyl).-   R³ with particular preference represents methyl, isopropyl or    cyanomethyl.-   R⁴ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,    halogen, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or    C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio.    -   Preferably, moreover, two adjacent radicals R⁴ represent        —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₅—, —(CH═CH—)₂—, —OCH₂O—, —O(CH₂)₂O—,        —OCF₂O—, —(CF₂)₂O—, —O(CF₂)₂O—, —(CH═CH—CH═N)— or        —(CH═CH—N═CH)—.-   R⁴ more preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,    C₁-C₂-haloalkyl, halogen, cyano or C₁-C₂-halo-alkoxy.    -   More preferably, moreover, two adjacent radicals R⁴ represent        —(CH₂)₄—, —(CH═CH—)₂—, —O(CH₂)₂O—, —O(CF₂)₂O—, —(CH═CH—CH═N)— or        —(CH═CH—N═CH)—.-   R⁴ very preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, trifluoromethyl,    cyano, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine or trifluoromethoxy. Very    preferably, moreover, two adjacent radicals R⁴ represent —(CH₂)₄—,    or —(CH═CH—)₂—.-   R⁴ with particular preference represents chlorine or bromine,-   R⁴ further with particular preference represents iodine or cyano.    With particular preference, moreover, two adjacent radicals R⁴    represent —(CH═CH—)₂—.-   R⁵ preferably represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,    C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₆-halocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,    C₂-C₄-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, C₂-C₄-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,    C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl,    C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio,    C₁-C₄-haloalkyl-sulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl, halogen, cyano,    nitro or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl.-   R⁵ more preferably represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,    C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₆-halocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,    C₂-C₄-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, C₂-C₄-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,    C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro    or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl.-   R⁵ very preferably represents methyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or    iodine.-   R⁵ with particular preference represents methyl or chlorine.-   R⁶ preferably represents C₁-C₆-alkyl or

-   R⁶ further preferably represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkoxy.-   R⁶ more preferably represents methyl or

-   R⁷ independently at each occurrence preferably represents hydrogen,    halogen, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,    C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl or    (C₁-C₄-alkyl)C₁-C₄-alkoxyimino,-   R⁷ independently at each occurrence more preferably represents    hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,-   R⁷ very preferably represents fluorine, chlorine or bromine,-   R⁷ with particular preference represents chlorine.-   m preferably represents 1, 2 or 3,-   m more preferably represents 1 or 2,-   m very preferably represents 1,-   X preferably represents N, CH, CF, CCl, CBr or Cl,-   X more preferably represents N, CH, CF, CCl or CBr,-   X very preferably represents N, CCl or CH.-   A preferably represents —CH₂—, —CH₂O—, —CH₂OCH₂—, —CH₂S—, —CH₂SCH₂—,    —CH₂N(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-, —CH₂N(C₁-C₆-alkyl)CH₂—, —CH(CN)—,    —C(di-C₁-C₆-alkyl)-, —CH₂CH₂— or —C═NO(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-,-   A more preferably represents —CH₂—, —CH(CH₃), C(CH₃)₂ or CH₂CH₂,-   A further more preferably represents —CH(CN)—,-   A very preferably represents CH₂ or CH(CH₃),-   A with particular preference represents CH₂.-   Q preferably represents an optionally mono- or polysubstituted 5- or    6-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring of series Q-1 to Q-53 or an    aromatic 9-membered fused heterobicyclic ring system Q-54 to Q-56,    the substituents being selectable independently of one another from    C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₂-alkoxy, halogen, cyano,    hydroxyl, nitro or C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy.-   Q further preferably represents an optionally mono- or    polysubstituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring of    series Q-1 to Q-53 and Q-58 to Q-59, an aromatic 9-membered fused    heterobicyclic ring system Q-54 to Q-56 and also represents a    5-membered heterocyclic ring Q-60 to Q-61, the substituents being    selectable independently of one another from C₁-C₃-alkyl,    C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₂-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, nitro or    C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy,    -   or the substituents being selectable independently of one        another from phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring,        it being possible for phenyl or the ring to be substituted where        appropriate one or more times by identical or different        C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,        C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or        C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy substituents,-   Q more preferably represents an optionally mono- or polysubstituted    5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring of series Q-36 to Q-40    or an aromatic 9-membered fused heterobicyclic ring system Q-54 to    Q-56, the substituents being selectable independently of one another    from C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₂-alkoxy, halogen, cyano,    hydroxyl, nitro or C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy.-   Q further more preferably represents an optionally mono- or    polysubstituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring of    series Q-36 to Q-40 and Q-58 to Q-59, an aromatic 9-membered fused    heterobicyclic ring system Q-54 to Q-56 and also represents a    5-membered heterocyclic ring Q-60 to Q-61, the substituents being    selectable independently of one another from C₁-C₃-alkyl,    C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₂-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, nitro or    C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy,    -   or the substituents being selectable independently of one        another from phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring,        it being possible for phenyl or the ring to be unsubstituted or        substituted one or more times by identical or different        C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,        C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or        C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy substituents,-   Q very preferably represents an optionally mono- or polysubstituted    aromatic heterocyclic ring of series Q-37, Q-38, Q-39, Q-40, Q-58    and Q-59, and also represents a 5-membered heterocyclic ring Q-60,    the substituents being selectable independently of one another from    C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₂-alkoxy, halogen, cyano,    hydroxyl, nitro or C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy,    -   or the substituents being selectable independently of one        another from phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring,        it being possible for phenyl or the ring to be unsubstituted or        substituted one or more times by identical or different        C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,        C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or        C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy substituents,-   Q further very preferably represents an optionally mono- or    polysubstituted aromatic heterocyclic ring of series Q-37, Q-38,    Q-39, Q-40, Q-58 and Q-59, and also represents a 5-membered    heterocyclic ring Q-60, the substituents being selectable    independently of one another from C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl,    halogen, cyano, nitro or C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy,    -   or the substituents being selectable independently of one        another from phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring,        it being possible for phenyl or the ring to be unsubstituted or        substituted one or more times by identical or different        C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,        C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or        C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy substituents,-   Q with particular preference represents an aromatic heterocyclic    ring Q-37, Q-40, Q-58 and Q-59 which is unsubstituted or substituted    once, twice or three times on carbon atoms, and also represents a    5-membered heterocyclic ring Q-60, the substituents being selectable    independently of one another from chlorine, fluorine, iodine,    bromine, cyano, trifluoromethyl and pentafluoroethyl,    -   or the substituents being selectable independently of one        another from phenyl, it being possible for the phenyl ring to be        unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or        different C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,        C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,        C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂ or        C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy substituents,-   Q further with particular preference represents an optionally mono-    or polysubstituted aromatic heterocyclic ring of series Q-37, Q-40,    Q-58 and Q-59, and also represents a 5-membered heterocyclic ring    Q-60, the substituents being selectable independently of one another    from chlorine, fluorine, iodine, cyano, trifluoromethyl and    pentafluoroethyl,    -   or the substituents being selectable independently of one        another from phenyl, it being possible for the phenyl ring to be        unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or        different chlorine, fluorine, iodine, bromine, cyano,        trifluoromethyl and pentafluoroethyl substituents,

Emphasis is given to the use of compounds of the formula (I-1) accordingto the invention

in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, A, Q and X have the above-indicatedgeneral, preferred, more preferred, very preferred and particularlypreferred definitions.

The compounds of the formula (I) or (I-1) may be present in the form ofdifferent regioisomers: for example in the form of mixture of compoundswith the definition of Q62 and Q63 or in the form of mixtures of Q58 andQ59. The invention therefore also encompasses compounds of the formula(I) or (I-1) where Q_(Y) is defined as Q62 and Q63, and Q58 and Q59, indifferent mixing ratios; to be used in combination with at least onebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts, or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites,optionally in the presence of inoculants, for reducing overall damage ofplants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruits orvegetables caused by insects, nematodes and phytopathogens.

Preference is given to mixing ratios of compounds of the formula (I) inwhich the Q_(Y) radical is Q62 or Q58 to compounds of the formula (I) inwhich the Qy radical is Q63 or Q59 of 60:40 to 99:1, more preferably of70:30 to 97:3, even more preferably of 80:20 to 99:1. Especiallypreferred are the following mixing ratios of a compound of the formula(I) where Q_(Y) is defined as Q62 or Q58 to the compound of the formula(I) where Q_(Y) is defined as Q63 or Q59: 80:20; 81:19; 82:18; 83:17;84:16; 85:15, 86:14; 87:13; 88:12; 89:11; 90:10, 91:9; 92:8; 93:7; 94:6,95:5, 96:4, 97:3, 98:2, 99:1.

More preferred is the use of the compounds (I-1-1) to (I-1-60) accordingto the invention

Additionally more preferred is the use of the following mixtures ofcompounds of the formula (I-1-1) to (I-1-60) according to the invention

(I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), 1-1-3/1-1-9, I-1-4/1-1-10,I-1-5/1-1-11, I-1-6/1-1-12, I-1-13/I-1-1-19, 1-1-14/1-1-20,I-1-15/I-1-21, I-1-16/I-1-22, I-1-17/I-1-23, I-1-18/I-1-24,1-1-25/1-1-31, 1-1-26/1-1-32, I-1-27/I-1-33, 1-1-28/1-1-34,I-1-29/I-1-35, I-1-30/I-1-36, 1-1-37/1-1-43, 1-1-38/1-1-44,I-1-39/I-1-45, I-1-40/I-1-46, I-1-41/I-1-47, I-1-42/I-1-48,I-1-49/I-1-55, I-1-50/I-1-56, I-1-51/I-1-57, I-1-52/I-1-58,I-1-53/I-1-59, I-1-54/I-1-60.

The compound of formula (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures(I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) are particularly preferred to be usedor employed according to the invention, thus, also if not mentionedexplicitly, the naming of compounds of formula (I) or compounds (I-1)always implies that the compound of formula (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well asthe mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) are preferred. Accordingto the invention, the biological control agent may be employed or usedin any physiologic state such as active or dormant. Dormant yeast e.g.may be supplied for example frozen, dried, or lyophilized

The invention is further directed to the preparation of a compositioncontaining compounds of formula (I) and at least one biological controlagent selected from bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria,fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, andbotanical extracts or products produced by microorganisms, andoptionally an inoculant, for reducing overall damage of plants and plantparts as well as losses in harvested fruits or vegetables caused byinsects, nematodes and phytopathogens.

The invention is also directed to a method for reducing overall damageof plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruits orvegetables caused by insects, nematodes and phytopathogens comprisingthe step of simultaneously or sequentially applying compounds of formula(I) and at least one biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally at least an inoculant, on the plant, plant parts, harvestedfruits or vegetables.

The invention is also directed to the use of compounds of formula (I)and at least one biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally at least an inoculant, for the treatment of seeds or a plantemerging from the seed.

Moreover the invention is directed to a method for protecting seedscomprising the step of simultaneously or sequentially applying compoundsof formula (I) and at least one biological control agent selected frombacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally at least an inoculant, on a seed or a plantemerging from the seed. The method is further called “seed treatment”.

The compounds of formula (I) and the biological control agent selectedfrom bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally an inoculant may be applied in any desiredmanner, such as in the form of a seed coating, soil drench, and/ordirectly in-furrow and/or as a foliar spray and applied eitherpre-emergence, post-emergence or both. In other words, the compositioncan be applied to the seed, the plant or to harvested fruits andvegetables or to the soil wherein the plant is growing or wherein it isdesired to grow.

Reducing the overall damage of plants and plant parts often results inhealthier plants and/or in an increase in plant vigor and yield.

The use or the method to use compounds of formula (I) and at least onebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally an inoculant simultaneously or sequentially includes thefollowing application methods, namely both before mentioned componentsmay be formulated into a single, stable composition with anagriculturally acceptable shelf life (so called “solo-formulation”), orbeing combined before or at the time of use (so called“combined-formulations”),

If not mentioned otherwise, the expression “combination” stands for thevarious combinations of compounds of formula (I) and the biologicalcontrol agent selected from bacteria, in particular spore-formingbacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenicnematodes, and botanical extracts or products produced by microorganismsincluding proteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally theinoculant, in a solo-formulation, in a single “ready-mix” form, in acombined spray mixture composed from solo-formulations, such as a“tank-mix”, and especially in a combined use of the single activeingredients when applied in a sequential manner, i.e. one after theother within a reasonably short period, such as a few hours or days,e.g. 2 hours to 7 days. The order of applying compound of formula (I)and the biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant, is not essential for working the presentinvention. Accordingly, the term “combination” also encompasses thepresence of compounds of formula (I) and the biological control agentselected from bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi oryeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes and botanicalextracts or products produced by microorganisms including proteins orsecondary metabolites, and optionally the inoculant, on or in a plant tobe treated or its surrounding, habitat or storage space, e.g. aftersimultaneously or consecutively applying compounds of formula (I) andthe biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant to a plant its surrounding, habitat or storagespace.

If the compounds of formula (I) and the biological control agentselected from bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi oryeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes and botanicalextracts, or products produced by microorganisms including proteins orsecondary metabolites, and optionally an inoculant, are employed or usedin a sequential manner, it is preferred to treat the plants or plantparts (which includes seeds and plants emerging from the seed),harvested fruits and vegetables according to the following method:Firstly applying the compound of formula (I) on the plant or plantparts, and secondly applying the biological control agent selected frombacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts,or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant, to the same plant or plantparts. The time periods between the first and the second applicationwithin a (crop) growing cycle may vary and depend on the effect to beachieved. For example, the first application is done to prevent aninfestation of the plant or plant parts with insects, nematodes and/orphytopathogens (this is particularly the case when treating seeds) or tocombat the infestation with insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens(this is particularly the case when treating plants and plant parts) andthe second application is done to prevent or control the infestationwith insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens. Control in this contextmeans that the biological control agent is not able to fully exterminatethe pests or phytopathogenic fungi but is able to keep the infestationon an acceptable level.

By following the before mentioned steps, a very low level of residues ofthe compound of formula (I) on the treated plant, plant parts, and theharvested fruits and vegetables can be achieved.

If not mentioned otherwise the treatment of plants or plant parts (whichincludes seeds and plants emerging from the seed), harvested fruits andvegetables with the compound of formula (I), preferably compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8), and the biological control agent selected frombacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts,or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant, is carried out directly or byaction on their surroundings, habitat or storage space using customarytreatment methods, for example dipping, spraying, atomizing, irrigating,evaporating, dusting, fogging, broadcasting, foaming, painting,spreading-on, watering (drenching), drip irrigating. It is furthermorepossible to apply the compound of formula (I), preferably compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8), and the biological control agent selected frombacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant, as solo-formulation orcombined-formulations by the ultra-low volume method, or to inject thecompound of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as wellas the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), and the biologicalcontrol agent selected from bacteria, in particular spore-formingbacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenicnematodes, and botanical extracts or products produced by microorganismsincluding proteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally theinoculant, as a composition or as sole-formulations into the soil(in-furrow).

In general, the terms “spore-forming bacteria”, “fungi” or “yeasts”comprise all stages of bacteria, fungi and yeast including restingspores, conidia, blastospores, filamentous stages and other inactiveforms of said organisms which can yield in active organisms. Thus, inone embodiment, said organisms are comprised in form of spores in aformulation, e.g., a solo- or combined-formulation.

In general, the term “nematode” comprises eggs, larvae, juvenile andmature forms of said organism. Thus, in one embodiment, said organismsare comprised in form of eggs, larvae, juvenile or mature form in aformulation, e.g., a solo- or combined-formulation.

A solo- or combined-formulation is the formulation which is applied tothe plants to be treated (e.g., in a greenhouse, on a field, in a wood),e.g., a tank formulation comprising the biological control agent inaccordance with the present invention and a compound of formula (I) or aliquid or solid formulation comprising said biological control agentwhich is applied prior, after or in parallel with a compound of formula(I) to a plant to be treated.

The term “plant to be treated” encompasses every part of a plantincluding its root system and the material—e.g., soil or nutritionmedium—which is in a radius of at least 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm around thebole of a plant to be treated or which is at least 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cmaround the root system of said plant to be treated, respectively.

In the case of seed treatment, the treatment can be carried out byapplying the compound of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1),(I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), andthe biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant, as a solution, a powder (for dry seedtreatment), a water-soluble powder (for slurry seed treatment), or byincrusting, by coating with one or more layers containing the compoundof formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as themixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), and the biological controlagent selected from bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria,fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, andbotanical extracts or products produced by microorganisms includingproteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally the inoculant.

As already mentioned before, using a compound of formula (I) and atleast one biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally an inoculant, as a combination is advantageous. Thebroadening of the activity spectrum to other agricultural pests (i.e.insects, acari, nematodes, and phytopathogens) and, for example toresistant strains of such agricultural pests and/or plant diseases canbe achieved.

Also according to the invention, the compound of formula (I) and thebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts, or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally an inoculant, can be used in a lower application rate andstill achieve the sufficient control of the agricultural pests and/orplant diseases. This is particularly visible if application rates forthe before mentioned compounds or biological control agents are usedwhere the individual compounds or biological control agents show no orvirtually no activity. The invention can also result in an advantageousbehaviour during formulation or during use, for example during grinding,sieving, emulsifying, dissolving or dispensing; improved storagestability and light stability, advantageous residue formation, improvedtoxicological or ecotoxicological behaviour, improved properties of theplant, for example better growth, increased harvest yields, a betterdeveloped root system, a larger leaf area, greener leaves, strongershoots, less seed required, lower phytotoxicity, mobilization of thedefense system of the plant, good compatibility with plants. Moreover,even an enhanced systemic action of the compound of formula (I) or thebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, is higherand/or a persistency of the fungicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal and/ornematicidal action is expected.

Using compounds of formula (I) and at least one biological control agentselected from bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi oryeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes and botanicalextracts or products produced by microorganisms including proteins orsecondary metabolites, and optionally an inoculant, as a combination isparticularly suitable for treating seed. A large part of the damage tocrop plants caused by harmful agricultural pests and/or plant diseasesis triggered by an infection of the seed during storage or after sowingas well as during and after germination of the plant. This phase isparticularly critical since the roots and shoots of the growing plantare particularly sensitive, and even small damage may result in a weakplant (unhealthy plant), reduced yield and even in the death of theplant.

The control of pests and/or phytopathogens by treating the seed ofplants has been known for a long time and is the subject of continuousimprovements. However, the treatment of seed entails a series ofproblems which cannot always be solved in a satisfactory manner. Thus,it is desirable to develop methods for protecting the seed and thegerminating plant which dispense with the additional application of cropprotection agents after sowing or after the emergence of the plants orwhich at least considerably reduce additional application. It isfurthermore desirable to optimize the amount of agrochemicals employedin such a way as to provide maximum protection for the seed and thegerminating plant from attack by agricultural pests, but withoutdamaging the plant itself by the active compound employed. Inparticular, methods for the treatment of seed should also take intoconsideration the intrinsic insecticidal properties of plants in orderto achieve optimum protection of the seed and the germinating plant witha minimum of agrochemicals being employed.

As already mentioned, the compounds of formula (I) and the biologicalcontrol agent selected from bacteria, in particular spore-formingbacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenicnematodes and botanical extracts or products produced by microorganismsincluding proteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally an inoculantcan be employed or used according to the invention as a solo- or acombined-formulation. Such formulations may include agriculturallysuitable auxiliaries, solvents, carriers, surfactants and/or extenders.

According to the invention biological control agents which aresummarized under the term “bacteria” include spore-forming,root-colonizing bacteria, or bacteria useful as bioinsecticide,biofungicide and/or nematicide. Examples of such bacteria to be used oremployed according to the invention are:

-   -   (1.1) Bacillus agri, (1.2) Bacillus aizawai, (1.3) Bacillus        albolactis, (1.4) Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, in particular the        strain IN937a, or strain FZB42 (DSM 23117) (product known as        RhizoVital®) or strain B3 or var amyloliquefaciens D747, (1.5)        Bacillus cereus, in particular spores of Bacillus cereus strain        CNCM I-1562 (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,690), (1.6) Bacillus        coagulans, (1.7) Bacillus endoparasiticus, (1.8) Bacillus        endorhythmos, (1.9) Bacillus azotoformans, (1.10) Bacillus        kurstaki, (1.11) Bacillus lacticola, (1.12) Bacillus        lactimorbus, (1.13) Bacillus lactis, (1.14) Bacillus        laterosporus, (1.15) Bacillus lentimorbus, (1.16) Bacillus        licheniformis, (1.17) Bacillus medusa, (1.18) Bacillus        megaterium, (1.19) Bacillus metiens, (1.20) Bacillus natto,        (1.21) Bacillus nigrificans, (1.22) Bacillus popillae, (1.23)        Bacillus pumilus, in particular strain GB34 (ATCC 700814)        (products known as Yield Shield®, or strain QST 2808 (NRRL        B-30087) (products known as Sonata QST 2808®) or strain BU F-33        (product known as Integral F-33), (1.24) Bacillus siamensis,        (1.26) Bacillus subtilis, in particular strain GB03 (products        known as Kodiak®) or strain QST 713 (NRRL B-21661) (products        known as Serenade QST 713®, Serenade® Max, Serenade® Soil,        Serenade® ASO, Rhapsody), or Bacillus subtilis var.        amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 (products known as Taegro®,        Rhizopro, FZB24) or strain MBI 600 (products known as Subtilex),        (1.27) Bacillus thuringiensis, in particular Bacillus        thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni or Bacillus thuringiensis var san        diego or Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis        (serotype 1) MPPL002, or Bacillus thuringiensis var. aegyptii,        or Bacillus thuringiensis var. colmeri, or Bacillus        thuringiensis var. darmstadiensis, or Bacillus thuringiensis        var. Dendrolimus, or Bacillus thuringiensis var. Galleriae, or        Bacillus thuringiensis var. Japonensis, or Bacillus        thuringiensis strain HD-1 (products known as Dipel® ES), or        Bacillus thuringiensis var 7216, or Bacillus thuringiensis var        T36, (1.28) Bacillus uniflagellatus, (1.29) Delftia acidovorans,        in particular strain RAY209 (products known as BioBoost®),        (1.30) Lysobacter antibioticus, in particular strain 13-1 (cf.        Biological Control 2008, 45, 288-296), (1.31) Pasteuria        penetrans (formerly Bacillus penetrans), (1.32) Pseudomonas        chlororaphis, in particular strain MA 342 (products known as        Cedomon), (1.33) Pseudomonas proradix (products known as        Proradix®), (1.34) Streptomyces galbus, in particular strain K61        (products known as Mycostop®, cf. Crop Protection 2006, 25,        468-475), (1.35) Streptomyces griseoviridis (products known as        Mycostop®), (1.36) Bacillus lautus, (1.37) Bacillus atrophaeus,        (1.38) Bacillus anthracia, (1.39) Bacillus mycoides, in        particular isolate J/BmJ or strain 683, (1.40) Bacillus        acidoterrestris, (1.41) Bacillus fastidiosus, (1.42) Bacillus        psychrosaccharolyticus, (1.43) Bacillus maroccanus, (1.44)        Bacillus megaterium C, (1.45) Bacillus pantothenticus, (1.46)        Bacillus lentus, (1.47) Bacillus badius, (1.48) Bacillus smithi,        (1.49) Bacillus circulars, (1.51) Paenibacillus polymyxa, (1.52)        Paenibacillus popilliae (formerly Bacillus popilliae), (1.53)        Serratia entomophila, (1.54) Chromobacterium subtsugae in        particular strain PRAA4-1T (product known as Grandevo), (1.55)        Acinetobacter sp., (1.56) Pasteuria usgae (product known as        Econem™ Biological Nematicide), (1.57) Bacillus chitinosporus        (product known as Ne-Plex), (1.58) Pseudomonas cepacia (ex        Burkholderia cepacia) in particular strains M54 and strain J82,        and (1.59) Bacillus nematocida, (1.60) Xenorhabdus luminescence,        (1.61) Brevibacillus laterosporus (also known as Bacillus        laterosporus), in particular strain 64 or strain G4 or strain        1111 or strain 1645 or strain 1647, (1.62) Corynebacterium        paurometabolum, (1.63) Lactobacillus acidophilus (products known        as Fruitsan®), (1.64) Paenibacillus alvei, in particular strain        T36 or strain III3DT-1A or strain III2E or strain 46C3 or strain        2771, (1.65) Paenibacillus macerans, (1.66) Pasteuria        nishizawae, in particular strain Pn1 (product known as Pasteuria        nishizawae-liquid formulation), (1.67) Pasteuria ramosa, (1.68)        Pasteuria thomei, (1.69) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, (1.70)        Pseudomonas aureofaciens, (1.71) Pseudomonas fluorescens        (products known as BlightBan or Victus), (1.72) Pseudomonas        putida, (1.73) Pseudomonas resinovorans (products known as        Solanacure), ((1.74) Pseudomonas syringae (products known as        Bio-Save), (1.75) Serratia marcescens, in particular strain SRM        (MTCC8708) or strain R35, (1.76) Streptomyces candidus (products        known as BioAid), (1.77) Streptomyces lydicus, in particular        strain WYCD108 and strain WYEC108 (products known as        ActinovateSP), (1.78) Streptomyces saraceticus, (1.79)        Streptomyces venezuelae, (1.80) Xenorhabdus nematophila, (1.81)        Agrobacterium radiobacter, (1.82) Bacillus mojavensis,        especially strain CECT-7666, Pantoea agglomerans, in particular        strain E325 (products known as Bloomtime Biological FD        Biopesticide), (1.83) Streptomyces colombiensis, (1.84)        Streptomyces sp. WYE 20 (KCTC 0341BP) and WYE 324 (KCTC 0342BP),        (1.85) Bacillus brevis (also known as Brevibacillus brevis),        (1.86) Erwinia carotovora (also known as Pectobacterium        carotovorum) carotovora (product known as Biokeeper), (1.87)        Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria (product known as        Camprico), (1.88) Pasteuria reniformis, in particular strain Pr3        (product known as Pasteuria reniformis—liquid formulation),        (1.89) Burkholderia spec strain A396 (product known as MBI-206        EP or MBI-206-TGAI)

Bacillus (abbreviation: B.) is a genus of rod-shaped, gram-positivebacteria, which can produce endospores under stressful environmentalconditions. The single species of this genus differ strongly withrespect to their usability in the area of plant protection

Bacillus subtilis, for example the strains GB03 and QST 713, as well asBacillus amyloliquefaciens, strain FZB 42, are species withphytopathogenic properties. These bacteria are applied to the soiland/or to the leaves.

From the given bacteria (1.1) to (1.89) or (1.1) to (1.60), suchbacteria or mutants thereof that have an insecticidal or plant growthpromoting activity are preferred to be used or employed in the presentinvention, in one embodiment in combination with compound (I-1-1),(I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8),optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

From the given bacteria (1.1) to (1.89) or (1.1) to (1.60), suchbacteria or mutants thereof that have an insecticidal, fungicidal and/ornematicidal activity are preferred to be used or employed in the presentinvention, in one embodiment in combination with compound (I-1-1),(I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8),optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

In one embodiment, from the given bacteria (1.1) to (1.89) or (1.1) to(1.60), the bacteria given under the numbers (1.4), (1.5), (1.6),(1.15), (1.16), (1.17), (1.18), (1.22), (1.23), (1.26), (1.27) and(1.36) to (1.44) are to be used or employed in the present invention,such as in combination with compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as themixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in the presence ofan inoculant. These bacteria belong to the class of group 1 bacteria asdisclosed in Ash et al., 1991, Lett Appl Microbiology 13, 202-206. Thegenealogy of group 1 bacteria is also shown in FIG. 1. Notably, Group 1bacteria can be divided into subgroups depending on the ramificationwithin the group. Thus, subgroup (1) consists of B. pantothenticus, B.lentus, B. badius, and B. smithi; subgroup (2) consists of B.azotoformans, B. circulars, B. benzoevorans, B. simplex, B. marrocanus,B. psychrosaccharolyticus, B. megaterium and B. fastidiosus; andsubgroup (3) consists of B. lautus, B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, B.amyloliquifaciens, B. lentimorbus, B. popilliae, B. atrophaeus, B.pumilus, B. cereus, B. anthracis, B. medusa, B. mycoides, B. coagulans,and B. acidoterrestris. Subgroup (3) can be further divided intosubgroup (3a) consisting of B. lautus, B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, B.amyloliquifaciens, B. lentimorbus, B. popilliae, and B. atrophaeus;subgroup (3b) consisting of B. pumilus, B. cereus, B. anthracis, B.medusa, and B. mycoides; and subgroup (3c) consisting of B. coagulans,and B. acidoterrestris.

In one embodiment, the bacteria of subgroup (3), (3a), (3b) or (3c) areto be used or employed in the present invention, such as in combinationwith compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

In another embodiment, the bacteria of subgroup (1) are to be used oremployed in the present invention, such as in combination with compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

In another embodiment, the bacteria given under the numbers (1.4),(1.5), (1.23), and (1.26) are to be used or employed in the presentinvention, such as in combination with compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), aswell as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in thepresence of an inoculant.

From the given bacteria (1.4), the bacteria (1.4a) Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain IN937a, and (1.4b) Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain FZB42 are used or employed in the present invention, in oneembodiment in combination with compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as themixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in the presence ofan inoculant.

From the given bacteria (1.5), the bacterium (1.5a) Bacillus cereusstrain CNCM 1-1562 especially spores are used or employed in the presentinvention, in one embodiment in combination with compound (I-1-1),(I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8),optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

From the given bacteria (1.23), the bacterium (1.23a) Bacillus pumilusstrain GB34 or (1.23b) Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808 or (1.23c)Bacillus pumilus strain BU F-33 is used or employed in the presentinvention, in one embodiment in combination with compound (I-1-1),(I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8),optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

From the given bacteria (1.26), the bacteria (1.26a) Bacillus subtilisstrain GB03, (1.26b) Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 and (1.26c)Bacillus subtilis var. amyloliquefaciens strain FZB24 are used oremployed in the present invention in one embodiment in combination withcompound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

According to the invention biological control agents that are summarizedunder the term “fungi” or “yeasts” are:

-   -   (2.1) Ampelomyces quisqualis, in particular strain AQ 10        (product known as AQ 10®), (2.2) Aureobasidium pullulans, in        particular blastospores of strain DSM14940 or blastospores of        strain DSM 14941 or mixtures thereof (product known as Blossom        Protect®), (2.3) Beauveria bassiana, in particular strain ATCC        74040 (products known as Naturalis®) or strain ATP02 (DSM 24665)        or strain GHA (products known as BOTANIGARD® 22WP, MYCOTROL® O)        or strain CG716 (product known as BoveMax), (2.4) Candida        oleophila, in particular strain O (products known as Nexy®) or        strain 1-182 (products known as ASPIRE®, Decco 1-182), (2.6)        Coniothyrium minitans, in particular strain CON/M/91-8        (DSM-9660) (products known as Contans®), (2.7) Dilophosphora        alopecuri (products known as Twist Fungus®), (2.8) Gliocladium        catenulatum, in particular strain J1446 (products known as        Prestop®), (2.9) Lecanicillium lecanii (formerly known as        Verticillium lecanii), in particular conidia of strain KV01        (products known as Mycotal®, Vertalec®) or strain DAOM198499 or        strain DAOM216596, (2.10) Metarhizium anisopliae, in particular        strain F52 (DSM 3884, ATCC 90448) (products known as BIO 1020.        MET52) or var. acridum isolate IMI 330189/ARSEF 7486 (products        known as Green Muscle®), (2.11) Metschnikovia fructicola, in        particular the strain NRRL Y-30752 (products known as Shemer®),        (2.12) Microsphaeropsis ochracea (products known as Microx®),        (2.13) Muscodor albus, in particular strain QST 20799 (products        known as QRD300), (2.14) Nomuraea rileyi, in particular strains        SA86101, GU87401, SR86151, CG128 and VA9101, (2.15a)        Paecilomyces lilacinus, in particular spores of P. lilacinus        strain 251 (AGAL 89/030550) (products known as BioAct®, cf. Crop        Protection 2008, 27, 352-361), or (2.15b) Paecilomyces        fumosoroseus (also known as Isaria fumosorosea), in particular        strain apopka 97 (products known as PreFeRal® WG), (2.16)        Penicillium bilaii, in particular strain ATCC22348 (products        known as JumpStart®, PB-50, Provide), (2.17) Pichia anomala, in        particular strain WRL-076, (2.18) Pseudozyma flocculosa, in        particular strain PF-A22 UL (products known as Sporodex® L),        (2.19) Pythium oligandrum, in particular strain DV74 (products        known as Polyversum), (2.20) Trichoderma asperellum, in        particular strain ICC 012 (products known as Bioten®) or strain        SKT-1 (products known as ECO-HOPE®) or strain T34/CECT No. 20417        (products known as T34 Biocontrol) or strain SF04, (2.21)        Trichoderma harzianum, in particular T. harzianum T39 (products        known as Trichodex®) or strain T-22 (products known as        PLANTSHIELD®T-22G, Rootshield, TurfShield), or strain TH 35        (products known as ROOT PRO®) or strain TSTh20/PTA-0317 or        strain 1295-22 (products known as Bio-Trek), and (2.22)        Beauveria brongniartii (products known as Beaupro), (2.23)        Aschersonia aleyrodes, (2.24) Hirsutella thompsonii (product        known as Mycohit), (2.25) Lagenidium giganteum (products known        as LAGINEX®), (2.26) Metarhizium flavoviride, (2.27) Myrothecium        verrucaria, in particular strain strain AARC-0255 (product known        as DiTera™), (2.28) Pandora delphacis, (2.29) Tsukamurella        paurometabola, in particular strain C-924 (products known as        HeberNem®), (2.29A) ARF 18 (Arkansas Fungus 18), (2.29B) Glomus        aggregatum, (2.29C) Glomus etunicatum, (2.30) Glomus        intraradices, (2.31) Glomus mosseae, (2.32) Trichoderma        atroviride, in particular strain CNCM 1-1237 or strain NMI        V08/002387, NMI V08/002389 or strain SKT-1/FERM P-1651 or strain        SKT-2/FERM P-16511 or strain SKT-3/FERM P-17021 (described in        JP3691264) or strain L52 (product known as SENTINEL®), (2.37)        Arthrobotrys dactyloides, (2.38) Arthrobotrys oligospora, (2.39)        Arthrobotrys superba (2.40) Aspergillus flavus strain NRRL 21882        (product known as Afla-Guard®), (2.41) Candida saitoana, in        particular strain NRRL Y-21022 (products known as BIOCURE® or        BIOCOAT®), (2.42) Chaetomium cupreum, (2.43) Chaetomium        globosum, (2.44) Chondrostereum purpureum, in particular strain        PFC2139, (2.45) Cladosporium cladosporioides strain H39 (as        described in EP2230918 A1), (2.46) Conidiobolus obscurus, (2.47)        Cryptococcus albidus (product known as Yield Plus®.), (2.48)        Cryptococcus flavescens, in particular strain NRRL Y-50378 and        strain NRRL Y-50379, (2.49), Dactylaria candida, (2.50)        Entomophthora virulenta, (2.51) Harposporium anguillullae,        (2.52) Hirsutella minnesotensis, (2.53) Hirsutella        rhossiliensis, (2.54) Meristacrum asterospermum, (2.55)        Microdochium dimerum, (2.56) Monacrosporium cionopagum, (2.57)        Monacrosporium psychrophilum, (2.58) Monacrosporium drechsleri,        (2.59) Monacrosporium gephyropagum, (2.60) Ophiostoma piliferum,        in particular strain D97 (products known as Sylvanex), (2.61)        Paecilomyces variotii, in particular strain Q-09 (product known        as Nemaquim), (2.62) Pochonia chlamydosporia (=Vercillium        chlamydosporiumi), (2.63) Pseudozyma aphidis, (2.64)        Stagonospora heteroderae, (2.65) Stagonospora phaseoli, (2.66)        Talaromyces flavus, in particular strain V117b (products known        as PROTUS®), (2.67) Trichoderma viride (also known as        Trichoderma gamsii), in particular strain ICC 080 (products        known as REMEDIER® WP, Bioderma®) and strain TV1 (products known        as T. viride TV1, Agribiotec), (2.68) Trichoderma harmatum,        isolate 382 (2.69) Trichoderma koningii, (2.70) Trichoderma        lignorum, (2.71) Trichoderma polysporum, isolate IMI 206040        (ATCC 20476), (2.72) Trichoderma stromaticum, (2.73) Trichoderma        virens (also known as Gliocladium virens), in particular strain        GL-21 (products known as SOILGARD®), (2.74) Ulocladium        oudemansii, in particular strain HRU3 (products known as        BOTRY-ZEN®), (2.75) Verticillium albo-atrum in particular strain        WCS850, (2.76) Verticillium chlamydosporium, (2.77) Verticillium        dahlia isolate WCS 850 (products known as Dutch Trig), (2.78)        Zoophtora radicans, (2.79) Cylindrocarpon heteronema, (2.80)        Exophiala jeanselmei, (2.81) Exophilia pisciphila, (2.82)        Fusarium aspergilus, (2.83) Fusarium oxysporum, for example the        non pathogenic strain Fo47 (product FUSACLEAN) or the non        pathogenic strain 251/2RB (product known as BIOFOX®), (2.84)        Fusarium solani, for example strain Fs-K (as described in patent        application US20110059048), (2.85) Gliocladium roseum, (2.86)        Mucor haemelis (products known as BIO-AVARD), (2.87)        Nematoctonus geogenius, (2.88) Nematoctonus leiosporus, (2.89)        Phlebiopsis gigantea (products known as ROTSOP®), (2.90)        Trichoderma album (products known as Biozeid®),

In one embodiment, from the given fungi and yeasts (2.1) to (2.90) or(2-1) to (2-31), the fungi and yeasts given under the numbers (2.10),(2.11), and (2.15) are to be used or employed in the present invention,in one embodiment in combination with compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as wellas the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in thepresence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (2.9) Lecanicillium lecanii,optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (2.9a) Lecanicillium lecanii strainKV01, optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (2.10) Metarhizium anisopliae, inparticular strain F 52, optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (2.11) Metschnikovia fructicola, inparticular strain NRRL Y-30752, optionally in the presence of aninoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (2.15a) Paecilomyces lilacinus, inparticular spores of P. lilacinus strain 251, optionally in the presenceof an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (2.14) Nomuraea rileyi, optionallyin the presence of an inoculant.

According to the invention biological control agents that are summarizedunder the term “protozoas” are:

-   -   (3.1) Nosema locustae, and (3.2) Vairimorpha.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (3.1) Nosema locustae, optionally inthe presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (3.2) Vairimorpha, optionally in thepresence of an inoculant.

According to the invention biological control agents that are summarizedunder the term “viruses” are:

-   -   (4.1) Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) nuclear polyhedrosis virus        (NPV), (4.2) Tussock moth (Lymantriidae) NPV, (4.3) Heliothis        NPV, (4.4) Neodiprion sertifer NPV (product known as        Neocheck-S™, Virox), and (4.5) Codling moth (Cydia pomonella)        granulosis virus (GV) (product known as Madex Plus), (4.6)        Adoxophyes orana granulosis virus (product known as        BIOFA-Capex®), (4.7) Helicoverpa armigera NPV (product known as        ViVUS Max), (4.8) Spodoptera exigua NPV, (4.9) Spodoptera        littoralis NPV, (4.10) Spodoptera litura NPV, (4.11) Neodiprion        abietis NPV (product known as ABIETIV™).

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (4.1) Gypsy moth nuclearpolyhedrosis virus (NPV), optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (4.2) Tussock moth NPV, optionallyin the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (4.3) Heliothis NPV, optionally inthe presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with 4.4 Neodiprion sertifer NPV,optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (4.5) Codling moth granulosis virus(GV), optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

According to the invention biological control agents that are summarizedunder the term “entomopathogenic nematode” are:

-   -   (5.1) Steinernema scapterisci, (5.2) Steinernema feltiae, (5.3)        Steinernema carpocapsae, (5.4) Heterorhabditis heliothidis, and        (5.5) Steinernema riobrave, (5.6) Steinernema glaseri, (5.7)        Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, (5.8) Heterorhabditis baujardi.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (5.1) Steinernema scapterisci,optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (5.2) Steinernema feltiae,optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (5.3) Steinernema carpocapsae,optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

It is preferred to use or employ in the present invention the compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) in combination with (5.4) Heterorhabditis heliothidis,optionally in the presence of an inoculant.

Examples for inoculants which may be used or employed according to theinvention are bacteria of the genus (6.1) Rhizobium leguminosarum, (6.2)Rhizobium tropici, (6.3) Rhizobium loti, (6.4) Rhizobium trifolii, (6.5)Rhizobium meliloti, (6.6) Rhizobium fredii, (6.7) Azorhizobiumcaulinodans, (6.8) Pseudomonas, (6.9) Azospirillum, (6.10) Azotobacter,(6.11) Streptomyces, (6.12) Burkholdia, (6.13) Agrobacterium, (6.14)Endo-Mycorhizza, (6.15) Ecto-Mycorhizza, (6.16) Vesicular-Arbuscular(VA) Mycorhizza, (6.17) Bradyrhizobium. It is preferred to usesoil-inoculants.

According to the invention biological control agents that are summarizedunder the term “Botanical Extracs” are:

(7.1) Thymus oil (Thymus vulgaris), (7.2) Cassia nigricans, (7.3)Quassia amara, (7.4) Rotenon, (7.5) Garlic, (7.6) Quillaja saponaria(Nema-Q), (7.7) Sabadilla, in particular Veratrin, (7.8) Ryania, inparticular Ryanodine, (7.9) Mistletoe (Viscum album), (7.10) commontansy (Tanacetum vulgare), (7.11) Artemisia absinthium, (7.12) Urticadioica, (7.13) Symphytum officinale, (7.14) Tropaeulum majus, (7.15)Quercus (7.178) yellow mustard powder, (7.16) Chenopodiumanthelminticum, (7.17) Dryopteris filix-mas, (7.18) bark of Chinesebittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), (7.191) Equisetum arvense (7.20)bark of Celastus angulatus, (7.21) Laminarin (Brown Algae), (7.22)Alginic acid (Brown Algae), (7.23) Chitin/Chitinosan, (7.24) Chenopodiumquinoa, containing Saponine (product known as HeadsUp), (7.25) Sesameoil (product known as Dragongfire-CCP™)

According to the invention biological control agents that are summarizedunder the term “products produced by microorganisms including proteinsor secondary metabolites,” are:

(8.1) Harpin protein, isolated from Erwinia amylovora (products known asMessenger, ProAct™, Employ™), (8.2) Thymol,

The amount of the biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,and entomopathogenic which is used or employed in combination with acompound of formula (I), preferably with a compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), aswell as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8), optionally in thepresence of an inoculant, depends on the final formulation as well assize or type of the plant, plant parts, seeds, harvested fruits andvegetables to be treated. Usually, the biological control agent to beemployed or used according to the invention is present in about 2% toabout 80% (w/w), preferably in about 5% to about 75% (w/w), morepreferably about 10% to about 70% (w/w) of its solo-formulation orcombined-formulation with the compound of formula (I), and optionallythe inoculant.

If bacteria, fungi or yeasts are selected as biological control agent,in particular those who are named as being preferred, namely (2.10),(2.11), and (2.15), it is preferred that they are present in asolo-formulation or the combined-formulation in a concentration inexcess of 10⁵-10¹² cfu/g (colony forming units per gram), preferably inexcess of 10⁶-10¹¹ cfu/g, more preferably 10⁷-10¹⁶ cfu cfu/g and mostpreferably about 10⁹ cfu/g.

Also the amount of compound of formula (I) which is used or employed incombination with the biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites,optionally in the presence of an inoculant, depends on the finalformulation as well as size or type of the plant, plant parts, seeds,harvested fruit or vegetable to be treated. Usually, the compound offormula (I) to be employed or used according to the invention is presentin about 0.1% to about 80% (w/w), preferably 1% to about 60% (w/w), morepreferably about 10% to about 50% (w/w) of its solo-formulation orcombined-formulation with the biological control agent selected frombacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant.

It is preferred to employ or use the compound of formula (I) and thebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, and ifpresent also the inoculant in an synergistic weight ratio. The skilledperson is able to find out the synergistic weight ratios for the presentinvention by routine methods. The skilled person understands that theseratios refer to the ratio within a combined-formulation as well as tothe calculative ratio of compound of formula (I) and the biologicalcontrol agent described herein when both components are applied asmono-formulations to a plant to be treated. The skilled person cancalculate this ratio by simple mathematics since the volume and theamount of compound of formula (I) and the biological control agent,respectively, in a mono-formulation is known to the skilled person. Inone embodiment, the said ratio refer to the ratio of the both componentsafter both components, i.e. compound of formula (I) and the biologicalcontrol agent, respectively, were applied to a plant to be treatedindependently whether the components were applied to a plant to betreated in form of solo-applications or in form of acombined-formulation.

In particular, the synergistic weight ratio of the compound of formula(I) to the bacteria, in particular spore forming bacteria, as biologicalcontrol agent lies in the range of 100:1 and 1:5000 (wt/wt), preferablyin the range of 50:1 and 1:2500 (wt/wt). It has to be noted that beforementioned ratios ranges are based on a spore preparation of thebacterium which contains 10⁹-10¹⁰ spores per gram. If spore preparationsvary in density, the ratios have to be adapted accordingly to match theabove listed ratio ranges. A ratio of 1:100 means 100 weight parts ofthe spore preparations of the spore forming bacteria to 1 weight part ofthe compound of formula (I).

In one preferred embodiment, when a biological control agent is Bacillussubtilis, preferably strain GB 03, the synergistic weight ratio of acompound of formula (I) to a preparation of B. subtilis of 10¹⁰ B.subtilis spores per gram preparation is between 100:1 and 1:500 or evenbetween 10:1 and 1:200 such as between 5:1 and 1:50 or between 1:1 and1:10.

In one preferred embodiment, when a biological control agent is Bacillusamyloliquefaciens, preferably strain FZB 42, the synergistic weightratio of a compound of formula (I) to a preparation of B.amyloliquefaciens of 10¹⁰ B. amyloliquefaciens spores per grampreparation is between 100:1 and 1:5000 or even between 10:1 and 1:2500such as between 5:1 and 1:500 or between 1:1 and 1:100.

In one preferred embodiment, when a biological control agent is Bacilluspumilus, preferably strain QST, the synergistic weight ratio of acompound of formula (I) to a preparation of Bacillus pumilus of 10⁹Bacillus pumilus colony forming units (cfu) per gram preparation isbetween 100:1 and 1:5000 or even between 10:1 and 1:2500 such as between5:1 and 1:500 or between 1:1 and 1:100.

In particular, the synergistic weight ratio of the compound of formula(I) to the fungi or yeasts lies in the range of 100:1 to 1:50.000,preferably in the range of 50:1 to 1:25.000. It has to be noted thatbefore mentioned ratios ranges are based on a the spore preparation ofthe bacterium which contains 10⁹-10¹⁰ spores (fungi) or cells (yeast)per gram. If spore preparations vary in density, the ratios have to beadapted accordingly to match the above listed ratio ranges. A ratio of1:100 means 100 weight parts of the spore or cell preparation of thefungi or yeast to 1 weight part of the compound of formula (I)

In one preferred embodiment, when a biological control agent isMetschnikowia fructicola, preferably strain NRRL Y-30752, thesynergistic weight ratio of a compound of formula (I) to a preparationof M. fructicola of 10¹⁰ M. fructicola cells per gram preparation isbetween 10:1 and 1:2500 or even between 1:1 and 1:1250 such as between1:1 and 1:500 or between 1:1 and 1:200.

In another preferred embodiment, when a biological control agent isPaecilomyces lilacinus, preferably strain 251, the synergistic weightratio of a compound (of formula (I) to a preparation of P. lilacinus of10¹⁰ P. lilacinus spores per gram preparation is between 500:1 and1:50000 or even between 100:1 and 1:25000 such as between 1:1 and 1:5000or between 1:1 and 1:2500 or between 1:1 and 1:500 or between 1:1 and1:100.

In another preferred embodiment, when a biological control agent isMetarhizium anisopliae, preferably strain F52, the synergistic weightratio of a compound of formula (I) to a preparation of M. anisopliae of10⁹ M. anisopliae spores per gram preparation is between 100:1 and1:1000 or even between 10:1 and 1:200 such as between 1:1 and 1:100 orbetween 1:1 and 1:10.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a fungus and the concentration of the fungus after dispersal is atleast 50 g/ha, such as 50-7500 g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-1500 g/ha; atleast 250 g/ha (hectare), at least 500 g/ha or at least 800 g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a fungus, such as Paecilomyces lilacinus, e.g., strain 251, and theconcentration of the fungus after dispersal is at least 50 g/ha; atleast 100 g/ha; at least 1000 g/ha; at least 2500 g/ha, such as2500-7500 g/ha, 2500-6000 g/ha; or at least 4000 g/ha, such as 4000-6000g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a fungus, such as Metarhizium anisopliae, e.g., strain F52 and theconcentration of the fungus after dispersal is at least 50 g/ha, such as50-7500 g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-250 g/ha; or at least 100 g/ha, such as100 g/ha-1000 g/ha or 100-250 g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis yeast, such as Metschnikowia fructicola, and the concentration of theyeast after dispersal is at least 50 g/ha, such as 50-5000 g/ha, 50-2000g/ha; at least 1000 g/ha; at least 1500 g/ha, such as 500-5000 g/ha,500-2500 g/ha, 500-2000 g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a bacterium and the concentration of the bacteria after dispersal isat least 50 g/ha, at least 100 g/ha or at least 150 g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a bacterium, and the concentration of the bacteria after dispersal isat least 50 g/ha (hectare), such as 50-7500 g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-1500g/ha; at least 250 g/ha; at least 100 g/ha, such as 100-5000 g/ha,100-2500 g/ha, 100-1500 g/ha or 100-250 g/ha; or at least 800 g/ha, suchas 800-5000 g/ha or 800-2500 g/ha.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a biological controlagent is a bacterium, such as B. subtilis, e.g., strain GB 03, and theconcentration of the bacteria after dispersal is at least 50 g/ha suchas 50-5000 g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-200 g/ha; at least 100 g/ha, at least500 g/ha, at least 800 g/ha, such as 800-5000 g/ha or 800-2500 g/ha.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a biological controlagent is a bacterium, such as B. amyloliquefaciens and the concentrationof the bacteria after dispersal is at least 500 g/ha, such as 500-5000g/ha, 500-2500 g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a virus and the concentration of the virus after dispersal is atleast 50 g/ha such as 50-7500 g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-1500 g/ha; at least100 g/ha or at least 150 g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a virus, such as Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) granulosis virus andthe concentration of the virus after dispersal is at least 50 g/ha(hectare) such as 50-5000 g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-1500 g/ha or 50-250g/ha; or at least 100 g/ha, such as 100-500 g/ha or 100-250 g/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a biological control agentis a nematode and the concentration of the nematodes is at least 10⁶nematodes/ha, e.g., larval stage nematodes/ha, such as 10⁶-10¹⁵nematodes/ha, e.g., larval stage nematodes/ha, 10⁶-10¹² nematodes/ha,e.g., larval stage nematodes/ha, at least 10⁸ nematodes/ha, e.g., larvalstage nematodes/ha such as 10⁸-10¹⁵ nematodes/ha, e.g., larval stagenematodes/ha, 10⁸-10¹² nematodes/ha, e.g., larval stage nematodes/ha; orat least 10⁹ nematodes/ha, e.g., larval stage nematodes/ha, such as10⁹-10¹⁵ nematodes/ha, e.g., larval stage nematodes/ha or 10⁹-10¹²nematodes/ha, e.g., larval stage nematodes/ha.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the ratios between bacteria(such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacilluspumilus, Bacillus cereus) and compound of formula (I) in a solo- orcombined-formulation or on or in a plant to be treated or itssurrounding, habitat or storage space is between 5000:1 to 1:125,between 2500:1 to 1:25 or even 500:1 to 1:5.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the ratios between fungi(such as Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Beauveriabassiana, Nomuraea rileyi) and compound of formula (I) in a solo- orcombined-formulation or on or in a plant to be treated or itssurrounding, habitat or storage space is between 50000:1 to 1:125,between 25000:1 to 1:25 or even 500:1 to 1:5.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the ratios between yeast(such as Metschnikowia fructicola) and compound of formula (I) in asolo- or combined-formulation or on or in a plant to be treated or itssurrounding, habitat or storage space is between 2500:1 to 1:125,between 1250:1 and 1:125 between 125:1 to 1:50, between 100:1 to 1:25 oreven 50:1 to 1:5.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the ratios between nematodes(such as Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema carpocapsae) and compoundof formula (I) in a solo- or combined-formulation or on or in a plant tobe treated or its surrounding, habitat or storage space is between 125:1to 1:125, between 100:1 to 1:25 or even 50:1 to 1:5.

The application rate of the biological control agent selected frombacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts tobe employed or used according to the present invention may vary. Theskilled person is able to find the appropriate application rate by wayof routine experiments.

Microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria can be obtained by conventionalfermentation processes. The fermentation can be carried out using solid,semi-solid or liquid nutrient media. If spores such as conidia are used,preference is given to solid or semi-solid nutrient media. The nutrientmedia contain the nutrients suitable and known for the cultivation ofthe respective microorganisms, in particular one or more metabolizablecarbon sources or nitrogen sources and mineral salts. The fermentationis generally carried out at temperatures between about 3° and about 40°C., preferably between 20° and 35° C. For example, a representativefermentation is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,208.

A fermentation process comprises in general the steps of a) incubatingspores such as conidia of a microorganism in or on a nutrition medium(such as agar with further additives such as oatmeal); b) separatingspores such as conidia from the nutrition medium after the incubationtime, (e.g., by shake off the conidia from the medium, centrifuging,filtrating); and optionally c) preparing an emulsion of said isolatedconidia.

The skilled person is well aware how to adapt fermentation to a givenmicroorganism such as fungi or bacteria. In the following, severalfermentations are exemplified in more detail. These examples are notmeant to limit the scope of the present invention.

Fungi

The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, strain DSM 3884, is known fromEP-A-0268177. The production of conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae isexemplified in EP 0794704 B1 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,208).

A nutrition medium such as oatmeal agar (e.g., composition: 30 g of oatflakes and 20 g of agar) in a Petri dish was inoculated with, e.g., 3week old conidia of the Metarhizium anisopliae strain DSM 3884. Theincubation time to multiply the conidia is, e.g., 3, 4, 5, or 6 days.The incubation temperature can be around 7° C. to around 40° C., e.g.22° to 25° C. The formed conidia was isolated by, e.g., shaking off theconidia. The conidia can be stirred with 50ml of water containing 1% ofa non-ionic emulsifier such as an emulsifier based on polyoxy-ethylene(20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20®) until a suspension was obtained inwhich the conidia was present as isolated particles. The conidia titerwas and can be determined using, e.g., a Neubauer chamber. The conidiacan be stored in closed cases under dry conditions, preferably attemperatures between 0° and 25° C.

Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 was isolated from infected nematodeeggs in the Philippines, and correctly described taxonomically in 1974.Optimal laboratory growth of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 occurs at21-27° C., and does not grow or survive above 36° C. (U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, P. lilacinus strain 251 Fact sheet). The followingcultivation of Paecilomyces lilacinus is exemplified in PatentApplication WO/1994/025579 (1994):

Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thorn) Samson (CBS 143.75), obtained e.g. fromthe CBS (Central Bureau of Fungal Cultures) in Baarn (The Netherlands),can be maintained on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA; Difco laboratories) at25° C. A conidial suspension was obtained by adding sterilized water(e.g., 5 ml) to a Petri dish containing sporulating mycelium andscraping the surface with a glass rod. Liquid cultures were obtained byinoculating conidia of the fungus to minimal salt medium or corn flourmedium supplemented with the substrate. The minimal salt medium (MM)consists of 4.56 g H2PO4, 2.77 g KH2 HP04, 0.5 g MgS04.7H20 and 0.5 gKCI/l, pH 6.0. Mycelium can be obtained by centrifuging a, e.g., 6 dayold culture of conidia of Paecilomyces lilacinus. For example, culturescan be grown in a shaking water bath for several days at 30° C. and 125strokes per minute. Culture filtrates were obtained by centrifugingcultures for, e.g., 45 min at 9000 g.

The preparation of Metschnikowia fructicola is exemplified in U.S. Pat.No. 6,994,849:

The yeast species Metschnikowia fructicola was isolated from the surfaceof grape berries (cv. Superior) grown in the central part of Israel. Atvarious stages, individual berries were submersed in sterile distilledwater in 100 ml beakers and shaken vigorously for 2 hours on rotaryshaker at 120 rpm. Aliquots of 100 ml were removed from the wash liquidand plated on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar; DIFCO Laboratories, U.S.A.)medium. Following 4-5 days of incubation, yeast colonies were pickedrandomly according to colony characteristics (color and morphology) andstreaked individually on fresh medium to obtain biologically purecultures. Cultures were further purified by repeated streaking on PDA.Identification and characterization of the new species was done at theMicrobial Genomics and Bioprocessing center, USDA-ARS, Peoria, Ill.,USA. Metschnikowia fructicola was deposited at the NRRL under the numberY-30752. This deposit has been made in compliance with the terms of theBudapest Treaty.

Metschnikowia fructicola was propagated under aerobic conditions attemperatures ranging from 5° C. to 37° C. Optimal growth temperature isbetween 20° C. and 27° C. The yeast grows in liquid medium (nutrientbroth; Droby et al., 1989) with a neutral pH. The cell density of theyeast generally reached its maximum (stationary stage) growth in 24-48hours. For laboratory and small scale tests growth in Erlenmeyer flaskscontaining the medium and shaken on a rotary shaker was suitable. Forlarge scale and commercial tests, fermentation tanks and industrialgrowth media were preferred. The yeast cells were harvested bycentrifugation using conventional laboratory or industrial centrifuges.

Bacteria

The bacteria Bacillus subtilis is a naturally occurring bacteria foundin soils all over the world. Bacillus subtilis strain QST713 wasisolated in 1995 by AgraQuest Inc. from soil in a California peachorchard. This product is applied to foliage (NYDEC 2001). In contrast,Bacillus subtilis strain GB03 (Kodiak®) was discovered in Australia inthe 1930's and is applied either as a seed treatment or directly tosoil. Neither strain is considered a genetically modified organism(Cornell University: Organic Resource Guide, Material factsheet—Bacillus subtilis)

Isolation of Bacillus subtilis and related strains from soil: To isolatewild Bacillus subtilis strains, e.g., 2 g soil samples were dissolved in2 ml of 10 mM Tris/HCl (pH 7.2) and then boiled at 95° C. for 5 min.From these samples, 0.1 ml of each sample was then spread onto LB platesand incubated at 37° C.

Sporulation assay: Bacillus subtilis strains were grown in 26 SG mediumat 37° C. and sporulation was assayed at 24 hours after the end of theexponential phase. The number of spores per ml culture was determined byidentifying the number of heat-resistant colony forming units (80° C.for 10 min) on LB plates.

Bacillus subtilis, strain Marburg, was grown aerobically in heartinfusion broth (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.) on shaker at about37° C. From an overnight culture 4 drops were inoculated into 70 ml ofpre warmed broth. Growth was measured as optical density at 620 nm.Cells were collected after 3.5-4.5 hours in the exponential phase ofgrowth. Centrifugation was carried out at room temperature for 15 min at7000 g (The Journal of Cell Biology. Volume 48, 1971 • pages 219-224).

Bacillus subtilis is active in temperatures between 7° C. and 45° C.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain FZB42, was originally isolated frominfested soil in Germany (Krebs et al., 1998, Chen et al., 2007).Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain FZB42 was cultivated in Luria broth(LB—1% w/v peptone, 0.5% w/v yeast extract, 0.5% w/v NaCL) at 30° C.(Journal of Biotechnology 151 (2011) 303-311). The bacteria was grown inLandy medium as described in Koumoutsi et al., 2004. To prepare surfacecultures, the strains were grown in petri dishes containing 1.5% Landyagar for 24 h at 37° C. and stored at room temperature prior toMALDI-TOF-MS analysis. Fermentation in liquid media was carried out inflasks at 30° C. and 180 rpm in a shaker (Journal of Bacteriology,February 2004, p. 1084-1096).

Viruses

Cydia pomonella granulosis viruses (CpGV) which are used in the productsMADEX (Andermatt Biocontrol) and Granupom (Probis GmbH) are depositedsince 2005 at the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures(DSMZ). Isolates used for the production of MADEX (AndermattBiocontrol), Granupom (Probis GmbH), VIRGO (SipcamS.p.A.) andCARPOVIRUSINE (Arysta LifeScience S.A.S) were all derived from theMexican isolate originally isolated in 1963 and are not geneticallymodified. (Virus accession number: GV-0001)

The identity of the virus produce can be bioanalytically checked againstthe parent strain by SDS-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the virusprotein sand by Restriction endonuclease analysis of viral DNA.

Prior to DNA isolation the test item has to be purified. The purifiedCpGV OB pellet is resuspended in 1 ml sterile water and the CpGV OBconcentration is enumerated in the Petroff-Hausser counting chamber. Theconcentration of active Cydia pomonella Granulosis virus (CpGV) isdetermined by means of a quantitative bioassay. The granules (occlusionbodies) of CpGV are counted under the light microscope. The virus titerin the end-use product is adjusted to the requested granules/1(Assessment Report: Cydia pomonella Granulovirus (CpGV)—Mexican Isolate(2007).

CpGV derives from the Mexican isolate of CpGV (Tanada, 1964) and ispropagated in larvae of Cydia pomonella. Infected larvae are homogenizedand centrifuged in 50% sucrose (w/w). The pellet is resuspended and thegranules are purified by, e.g., centrifugation through a linear 50% to60% (w/w) sucrose gradient, generating a virus band which is thenrepeatedly washed in Tris buffer and pelleted to remove residualsucrose. (Journal of general virology (1992), 73, 1621-1626).

Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Nematodes can be reared in liquid culture techniques (see, e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 5,023,183 which is herewith incorporated by reference in itsentirety) and stored, for example, as eggs, larvae in suspensioncultures or in clay powder or adult nematodes, e.g., in clay powder.Nematodes can be held in the refrigerator (2-6° C.) until use for up to4 weeks and can be reactivated by suspension in warm water (>12° C.).

One method to isolate entomopathogenic nematodes from soil is describedby Cairns, 1960, Folia parasitica 47: 315-318, 2000. For soil samples, asieving-decanting method was employed with final isolation of thenematodes from the sieving debris using a Baermann funnel with cottonfilter. For this method, which is commonly applied for the extraction ofplant-parasitic and soil nematodes (Southey 1986), 250 ml soil was used.The nematode suspension was fixed, checked for the presence ofentomopathogenic nematodes using an inverted light microscope, and thenumber of Steinernema specimens was determined. Species identificationwas mostly done at high microscopical magnification using morphologicalcharacters of the infective-stage juveniles (Sturhan in Hominick et al.1997, and unpublished).

Entomopathogenic nematodes can be mass-produced by in-vivo or in-vitromethods. Larvae of Galleria mellonella are most commonly used to rearnematodes because of their commercial availability. Several researchers(Dutky et al. 1964, Howell 1979, Lindegren et al. 1993, Flanders et al.1996) have described the methods of nematode infection, inoculation, andharvesting. Using the in-vivo process, yields between 0.5×10⁵-4×10⁵infective juveniles, depending on the nematode species, have beenobtained. During the past few years a distinct cottage industry hasemerged in the USA which utilizes the in-vivo process for nematodemass-production for sale, especially in the home lawn and gardenmarkets. The in-vivo process, however, lacks any economy of scale; thelabor, equipment, and material (insect) costs increase as a linearfunction of production capacity. Perhaps even more important is the lackof improved quality while increasing scale. The in-vivo nematodeproduction is increasingly sensitive to biological variations andcatastrophes as scale increases (Friedman 1990). Several formulationshave been developed for the storage and application of entomopathogenicnematodes. The shelf life of different nematode-based products variesdepending on the formulation, nematode species and temperature. In thesimplest type of formulation, the nematodes are impregnated onto moistcarrier substrates providing substantial interstitial spaces leading toincreased gas exchange. Such carriers include polyether polyurethanesponge, cedar shavings, peat, vermiculite, etc. Nematodes held on thesponge need to be hand-squeezed into water before application, whereasfrom the other carriers they may be applied directly to the soil asmulch (Neotropical Entomology, vol. 30, no. 2, Londrina, June 2001, ISSN1519-566X).

A bioassay to determine nematode viability is described, e.g., in Simser(J. of Nematology 24(3):374-378; 1992). The Nematode viability wasverified by host bioassay. Late instar larvae of the greater wax moth,Galleria mellone, were buried 2.5 cm deep between plants before nematodeapplication (four larvae per replicate), collected after 7 days, placedin petri dishes (9 cm diameter) and held in darkness at ca. 25 C. Insectmortality (>90%) and subsequent nematode propagation with cadaversdemonstrated infectivity of the nematodes. The skilled person is wellaware how to adopt this kind of bioassay to different nematode species.

The preferred application rate of bacteria as biological control agent,in particular of spores of the bacteria (1.26a), namely B. subtilisstrain GBO3, lies in the range of 0.1 to 3 kg/ha.

The preferred application rate of fungi as biological control agent, inparticular the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae strain F 52 lies in therange of 0.1 to 3 kg/ha

The preferred application rate of yeasts as biological control agent, inparticular the yeast Metschnikowia fructicola strain NRRL Y-30752 liesin the range of 0.05 to 8 kg/ha.

The preferred application rate of protozoa, viruses, andentomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents lies in therange of 0.5 to 10 kg/ha.

It is generally preferred to use or employ the compound of formula (I)and the biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, andentomopathogenic nematodes, and if applicable also the inoculant onhorticultural crops, such as cotton, flax, grapevines, fruit, vegetable,such as Rosaceae sp. (for example pomaceous fruit, such as apples andpears, but also stone fruit, such as apricots, cherries, almonds andpeaches and soft fruit such as strawberries), Ribesioidae sp.,Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp.,Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp., Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp., Musaceaesp. (for example banana trees and plantations), Rubiaceae sp. (forexample coffee), Theaceae sp., Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (forexample lemons, oranges and grapefruit), Solanaceae sp. (for exampletomatoes), Liliaceae sp., Asteraceae sp. (for example lettuce),Umbelliferae sp., Cruciferae sp., Chenopodiaceae sp., Cucurbitaceae sp.(for example cucumbers), Alliaceae sp. (for example leek, onions),Papilionaceae sp. (for example peas); major crop plants, such Gramineaesp. (for example maize, lawn, cereals such as wheat, rye, rice, barley,oats, millet and triticale), Poaceae sp. (for example sugarcane),Asteraceae sp. (for example sunflowers), Brassicaceae sp. (for examplewhite cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts,pak choi, turnip cabbage, garden radish, and also oilseed rape, mustard,horseradish and cress), Fabacae sp. (for example beans, peas, peanuts),Papilionaceae sp. (for example soya beans), Solanaceae sp. (for examplepotatoes), Chenopodiaceae sp. (for example sugar beet, fodder beet,Swiss chard, beetroot); crop plants and ornamental plants in garden andforest; and also in each case genetically modified varieties of theseplants.

Horticultural crops particularly includes carrots, pumpkin, squash,zucchini, potato, sweet corn, onions, ornamentals, medicinal herbs,culinary herbs, tomatoes, spinach, pepper, melon, lettuce, cucumber,celery, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnipcabbage, kale, radish, rutabaga, turnip, asparagus, bean, pea, apples,raspberry, strawberry, banana, mango, grapes, peaches, pears, guava,pineapple, pomegranate, garlic, capsicum, chili, radish, star fruit,tapioca, walnuts, lemon, mandarin, mangold, mushroom, olive, orange,papaya, paprika, passion fruit, peanuts, pecan nuts, prune, pistachionuts, persimmon, pamplemouse (grapefruit), eggplant, endive, cranberry,gooseberry, hazel nuts, kiwifruit, almonds, amaranth, apricot,artichoke, avocado, blackberry, cashew nut, cherry, clementine, coconut,cantaloupes and includes their harvested goods, such as fruits andvegetables.

It is further generally preferred to use or employ the compound offormula (I) and the biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,and entomopathogenic nematodes, and if applicable also the inoculant onbroad acre crops, such as cotton, corn, soybean, cereals, canola, oilseed rape, sugar cane and rice.

Agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein, in particularsolo-formulations and combined-formulations may generally includecarrier, which is be understood as meaning a natural or synthetic,organic or inorganic substance which is mixed or combined with theactive compounds for better applicability, in particular for applicationto plants or plant parts or seeds. The carrier which may be solid orliquid is generally inert and should be suitable for agricultural use.The formulations mentioned can be prepared in a manner known per se, forexample by mixing the active the compound of formula (I) and thebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, andentomopathogenic nematodes, and if applicable also the inoculant with atleast one additive. Suitable additives are all customary formulationauxiliaries, such as, for example, organic solvents, extenders, solventsor diluents, solid carriers and fillers, surfactants (such as adjuvants,emulsifiers, dispersants, protective colloids, wetting agents andtackifiers), dispersants and/or binders or fixatives, preservatives,dyes and pigments, defoamers, inorganic and organic thickeners, waterrepellents, if appropriate siccatives and UV stabilizers, gibberellinsand also water and further processing auxiliaries. Depending on theformulation type to be prepared in each case, further processing stepssuch as, for example, wet grinding, dry grinding or granulation may berequired.

Moreover, agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein may alsogenerally include suitable solid or liquid carriers are: for exampleammonium salts and natural ground minerals, such as kaolins, clays,talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth,and ground synthetic minerals, such as finely divided silica, aluminaand natural or synthetic silicates, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers,water, alcohols, especially butanol, organic solvents, mineral oils andvegetable oils, and also derivatives thereof. It is also possible to usemixtures of such carriers. Solid carriers suitable for granules are: forexample crushed and fractionated natural minerals, such as calcite,marble, pumice, sepiolite, dolomite, and also synthetic granules ofinorganic and organic meals and also granules of organic material, suchas sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks.

Moreover, agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein may alsogenerally include suitable liquefied gaseous extenders or carriers areliquids which are gaseous at ambient temperature and under atmosphericpressure, for example aerosol propellants, such as butane, propane,nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Moreover, agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein may alsogenerally include suitable tackifiers, such as carboxymethylcelluloseand natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules andlatices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, orelse natural phospholipids, such as cephalins and lecithins andsynthetic phospholipids can be used in the formulations. Other possibleadditives are mineral and vegetable oils and waxes, optionally modified.

Moreover, agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein may alsogenerally include extender. If the extender used is water, it is alsopossible for example, to use organic solvents as auxiliary solvents.Suitable liquid solvents are essentially: aromatic compounds, such asxylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatic compounds orchlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes,chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such ascyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, mineral andvegetable oils, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol, and also ethers andesters thereof, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methylisobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such asdimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, and also water.

In one embodiment, an agrochemical formulation such as asolo-formulation or a combined-formulation comprises at least one of thefollowing solvents selected from the group consisting of water, ketones,such as acetone, dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide.

In a further embodiment, an agrochemical formulation such as asolo-formulation or a combined-formulation comprises at least one of thefollowing solvents selected from the group consisting of water, ketones,such as acetone, dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide; and furthercomprises an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of alkylarylpolyglycolether.

Moreover, agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein may alsogenerally include additional further components, such as, for example,surfactants. Suitable surfactants are emulsifiers, dispersants orwetting agents having ionic or nonionic properties, or mixtures of thesesurfactants. Examples of these are salts of polyacrylic acid, salts oflignosulphonic acid, salts of phenolsulphonic acid ornaphthalenesulphonic acid, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fattyalcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols(preferably alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulphosuccinicesters, taurine derivatives (preferably alkyl taurates), phosphoricesters of polyethoxylated alcohols or phenols, fatty esters of polyols,and derivatives of the compounds containing sulphates, sulphonates andphosphates. The presence of a surfactant is required if one of theactive compounds and/or one of the inert carriers is insoluble in waterand when the application takes place in water. The proportion ofsurfactants is between 5 and 40 per cent by weight of the compositionaccording to the invention. It is possible to use colorants such asinorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide, Prussianblue, and organic dyes, such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes and metalphthalocyanine dyes, and trace nutrients, such as salts of iron,manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

Moreover, agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein may alsogenerally include other additional components, for example protectivecolloids, binders, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic substances,penetrants, stabilizers, sequestering agents, complex formers.

Agrochemical formulations as mentioned herein can be used in form ofaerosols, capsule suspensions, cold-fogging concentrates, warm-foggingconcentrates, encapsulated granules, fine granules, flowableconcentrates for the treatment of seed, ready-to-use solutions, dustablepowders, emulsifiable concentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oilemulsions, macrogranules, microgranules, oil-dispersible powders,oil-miscible flowable concentrates, oil-miscible liquids, foams, pastes,pesticide-coated seed, suspension concentrates, suspoemulsionconcentrates, soluble concentrates, suspensions, wettable powders,soluble powders, dusts and granules, water-soluble granules or tablets,water-soluble powders for the treatment of seed, wettable powders,natural products and synthetic substances impregnated with activecompound, and also microencapsulations in polymeric substances and incoating materials for seed, and also ULV cold-fogging and warm-foggingformulations.

The combinations according to the invention do not only compriseready-to-use formulations which can be applied with suitable apparatusto the plant or the seed, but also commercial concentrates which have tobe diluted with water prior to use.

It is preferred that the composition containing a compound of formula(I) and the at least one biological control agent selected frombacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally an inoculant according to the invention isformulated in a single, stable solution, or emulsion, or suspension. Forsolutions, the compound of formula (I) is dissolved in a suitablesolvent before the biological control agent is added.

Suitable solvents are liquid and include petroleum based aromatics, suchas xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such ascyclohexane or paraffins, for example petroleum fractions, mineral andvegetable oils, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol as well as theirethers and esters, ketones, such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutylketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such asdimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide. For emulsions andsuspensions, the solvent is water.

In one embodiment, the compound of formula (I) and the at least onebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant, are suspended in separate solvents and mixedat the time of application.

In a preferred embodiment the compound of formula (I) and the at leastone biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant are combined in a ready-to-use formulation thatexhibits a shelf-life of at least two years. In use, the liquid can besprayed or atomized foliarly or in-furrow at the time of planting theplant. The liquid composition can be introduced to the soil beforegermination of the seed or directly to the soil in contact with theroots by utilizing a variety of techniques including, but not limitedto, drip irrigation, sprinklers, soil injection or soil drenching.

Optionally, stabilizers and buffers can be added, including alkaline andalkaline earth metal salts and organic acids, such as citric acid andascorbic acid, inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuricacid. Biocides can also be added and can include formaldehydes orformaldehyde-releasing agents and derivatives of benzoic acid, such asp-hydroxybenzoic acid.

In some embodiments, the terms alkane, alkyl, alkene, alkenyl, alkine,alkinyl, aryl when mentioned herein refer to groups containing C₁-C₂₀,C₁-C₈ or C₁-C₆ carbon atoms. Similarly, heteroaryl and other functionalgroups comprising alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or aryl, such as ketones,ethers, amines, etc., may contain C₁-C₂₀, C₁-C₈ or C₁-C₆carbon atoms. Ofcourse, combinations which are contrary to the law of nature (e.g.,C₂-aryl) are excluded. The skilled person is well aware whichcombinations have to be excluded based on his or her expertise. In someembodiments, the term “poly” refers to units of 2-50000, 2-5000, 2-500,2-50, 5-500, 50-500, 5-50 subunits.

In the agrochemical formulations or in the use forms of the compound offormula (I) and the biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, and orthe inoculant, there may be additionally at least one further activecompound present. Such active compounds may be insecticides,attractants, sterilants, bactericides, acaricides, nematicides,fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides, fertilizers, safeners andsemiochemicals. In one embodiment, the solid or liquid agrochemicalformulations or use forms as mentioned before, may further containfunctional agents capable of protecting seeds from the harmful effectsof selective herbicides such as activated carbon, nutrients(fertilizers), and other agents capable of improving the germination andquality of the products or a combination thereof.

Conventional seeds which can be treated according to the invention areseeds of any plant variety employed in agriculture, in the greenhouse,in forests or in horticulture or in vineyards and include horticulturaland broad acre crops. In particular, this takes the form of seed ofcereals (such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale, millet, oats), maize(corn), cotton, soybean, rice, potatoes, sunflowers, beans, coffee,beets (e.g. sugar beets and fodder beets), peanuts, oilseed rape,poppies, olives, coconuts, cacao, sugar cane, tobacco, vegetables (suchas tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and lettuce), lawn and ornamental plants(also see below). The treatment of seeds of cotton, soybean, rape,cereals (such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and oats), maize (corn),beets, potatoes and rice is of particular importance.

Transgenic seeds containing at least one heterologous gene which allowsthe expression of a polypeptide or protein having insecticidalproperties are particularly preferred to be treated according to theinvention. The heterologous gene in transgenic seed can originate, forexample, from microorganisms of the species Bacillus, Rhizobium,Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Clavibacter, Glomus or Gliocladium.Preferably, this heterologous gene is from Bacillus sp., the geneproduct having activity against the European corn borer and/or theWestern corn rootworm. Particularly preferably, the heterologous geneoriginates from Bacillus thuringiensis.

The compounds of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), aswell as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) and the at leastone biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant according to the invention are preferablyformulated as a solo-agrochemical formulation or a combined-agrochemicalformulation with the aim to be sufficiently stable so that the treatmentof the plants, plant parts, seeds, harvested fruits and vegetables doesnot cause any damage.

However, the compounds of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1),(I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) andthe at least one biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant can also be applied directly, that is to saywithout comprising further components and without having been diluted.

In general, treatment of the seed may take place at any point in timebetween harvesting and sowing. Usually, the seed used is separated fromthe plant and freed from cobs, shells, stalks, coats, hairs or the fleshof the fruits. Thus, it is possible to use, for example, seed which hasbeen harvested, cleaned and dried to a moisture content of less than 15%by weight. Alternatively, it is also possible to use seed which, afterdrying, has been treated, for example, with water and then dried again.

When treating the seed, care must generally be taken that the amount ofthe compound of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), aswell as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) and the at leastone biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant is applied to the seed and/or the amount offurther additives is chosen in such a way that the germination of theseed is not adversely affected, or that the resulting plant is notdamaged.

Agrochemical formulations for treating seeds (seed dressingformulations) according to the invention are solutions, emulsions,suspensions, powders, foams, slurries or other coating materials forseed, and also ULV formulations (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,417 A, U.S.Pat. No. 4,245,432 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,430 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,739A, US 2003/0176428 A1, WO 2002/080675 A1, WO 2002/028186 A2).

Such seed dressing formulations are prepared in a known manner by mixingthe compound of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), aswell as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) and the at leastone biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant with customary additives, such as, for example,customary extenders and also solvents or diluents, colorants, wettingagents, dispersants, emulsifiers, defoamers, preservatives, secondarythickeners, adhesives, gibberellins and water as well.

Suitable colorants that may be present in the seed dressing formulationsinclude all colorants customary for such purposes. Use may be made bothof pigments, of sparing solubility in water, and of dyes, which aresoluble in water. Examples that may be mentioned include the colorantsknown under the designations Rhodamine B, C.I. Pigment Red 112, and C.I.Solvent Red 1.

Suitable wetting agents that may be present in the seed dressingformulations include all substances which promote wetting and arecustomary in the formulation of active agrochemical substances. Withpreference it is possible to use alkylnaphthalene-sulphonates, such asdiisopropyl- or diisobutylnaphthalene-sulphonates.

Suitable dispersants and/or emulsifiers that may be present in the seeddressing formulations include all nonionic, anionic, and cationicdispersants which are customary in the formulation of activeagrochemical substances. With preference, it is possible to use nonionicor anionic dispersants or mixtures of nonionic or anionic dispersants.Particularly suitable nonionic dispersants are ethylene oxide-propyleneoxide block polymers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers and tristyrylphenolpolyglycol ethers, and their phosphated or sulphated derivatives.Particularly suitable anionic dispersants are lignosulphonates,polyacrylic salts, and arylsulphonate-formaldehyde condensates.

Defoamers that may be present in the seed dressing formulations includeall foam-inhibiting compounds which are customary in the formulation ofagrochemically active compounds. Preference is given to using siliconedefoamers, magnesium stearate, silicone emulsions, long-chain alcohols,fatty acids and their salts and also organofluorine compounds andmixtures thereof.

Preservatives that may be present in the seed dressing formulationinclude all compounds which can be used for such purposes inagrochemical compositions. By way of example, mention may be made ofdichlorophen and benzyl alcohol hemiformal.

Secondary thickeners that may be present in the seed dressingformulations include all compounds which can be used for such purposesin agrochemical compositions. Preference is given to cellulosederivatives, acrylic acid derivatives, polysaccharides, such as xanthangum or Veegum, modified clays, phyllosilicates, such as attapulgite andbentonite, and also finely divided silicic acids.

Suitable adhesives that may be present in the seed dressing formulationsinclude all customary binders which can be used in seed dressings.Polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and tylosemay be mentioned as being preferred.

Suitable gibberellins that may be present in the seed dressingformulations are preferably the gibberellins A1, A3 (=gibberellic acid),A4 and A7; particular preference is given to using gibberellic acid. Thegibberellins are known (cf. R. Wegler “Chemie der Pflanzenschutz- andSchädlingsbekämpfungsmittel” [Chemistry of Crop Protection Agents andPesticides], Vol. 2, Springer Verlag, 1970, pp. 401-412).

The seed dressing formulations can be used directly or after dilutionwith water beforehand to treat seed of any of a very wide variety oftypes or transgenic plants. When the latter seeds are used, synergisticeffects may also arise in interaction with the substances formed byexpression.

Suitable mixing equipment for treating seed with the seed dressingformulations or the preparations prepared from them by adding waterincludes all mixing equipment which can commonly be used for dressing.The specific procedure adopted when dressing comprises introducing theseed into a mixer, adding the particular desired amount of seed dressingformulation, either as it is or following dilution with waterbeforehand, and carrying out mixing until the formulation is uniformlydistributed on the seed. Optionally, a drying operation follows.

According to the present invention, the seeds are substantiallyuniformly coated with one or more layers of the compound of formula (I),preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures(I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) and/or the at least one biologicalcontrol agent selected from bacteria, in particular spore-formingbacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenicnematodes and botanical extracts, or products produced by microorganismsincluding proteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally theinoculant using conventional methods of mixing, spraying or acombination thereof through the use of treatment application equipmentthat is specifically designed and manufactured to accurately, safely,and efficiently apply seed treatment products to seeds. Such equipmentuses various types of coating technology such as rotary coaters, drumcoaters, fluidized bed techniques, spouted beds, rotary mists or acombination thereof. Liquid seed treatments such as those of the presentinvention can be applied via either a spinning “atomizer” disk or aspray nozzle which evenly distributes the seed treatment onto the seedas it moves though the spray pattern. Preferably, the seed is then mixedor tumbled for an additional period of time to achieve additionaltreatment distribution and drying. The seeds can be primed or unprimedbefore coating with the compound of formula (I), preferably compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7),(I-1-2)/(I-1-8) and the at least one biological control agent selectedfrom bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant to increase the uniformity ofgermination and emergence. In an alternative embodiment, a dry powderformulation can be metered onto the moving seed and allowed to mix untilcompletely distributed.

The seeds may be coated via a batch or continuous coating process. In acontinuous coating embodiment, continuous flow equipment simultaneouslymeters both the seed flow and the seed treatment products. A slide gate,cone and orifice, seed wheel, or weighing device (belt or diverter)regulates seed flow. Once the seed flow rate through treating equipmentis determined, the flow rate of the seed treatment is calibrated to theseed flow rate in order to deliver the desired dose to the seed as itflows through the seed treating equipment. Additionally, a computersystem may monitor the seed input to the coating machine, therebymaintaining a constant flow of the appropriate amount of seed.

In a batch coating embodiment, batch treating equipment weighs out aprescribed amount of seed and places the seed into a closed treatingchamber or bowl where the corresponding dose of seed treatment is thenapplied. This batch is then dumped out of the treating chamber inpreparation for the treatment of the next batch. With computer controlsystems, this batch process is automated enabling it to continuouslyrepeat the batch treating process.

In either embodiment, the seed coating machinery can optionally beoperated by a programmable logic controller that allows variousequipments to be started and stopped without employee intervention. Thecomponents of this system are commercially available through severalsources such as Gustafson Equipment of Shakopee, Minn.

If planted, any plant seed capable of germinating to form a plant thatis susceptible to attack by insects, nematodes and/or pathogenic fungican be treated in accordance with the invention. Particularly suitableconvential (i.e. not being a transgenic seeds) or transgenic seeds arethose of cole crops, vegetables (in particular the vegetables asmentioned herein as being horticultural crops), fruits (in particularthe vegetables as mentioned herein as being horticultural crops), trees,fiber crops, oil crops, tuber crops, coffee, flowers, legume, cereals,as well as other plants of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonousspecies. Preference is given to seeds of horticultural crops and ofbroad acre crops as mentioned herein. In particular, among those crops,seeds to be coated include soybean, cotton, corn, peanut, tobacco,grasses, wheat, barley, rye, sorghum, rice, rapeseed, sugar beet,sunflower, tomato, pepper, bean, lettuce, potato, and carrot seeds.

Additionally, if the seed treatment is done with transgenic seeds, thenthe plants emerging from these seeds are capable of the expression of aprotein directed against pests and pathogens. By treatment of such seedwith the compound of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2),as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(I-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) and the atleast one biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant certain pests and/or phytopathogens can alreadybe controlled by expression of the, for example, insecticidal protein,and it is additionally surprising that a synergistic activitysupplementation occurs when the compound of formula (I) and thebiological control agents are used or employed for seed treatment,thereby improving still further the effectiveness of the protection frompest and pathogen infestation.

The agricultural pests and pathogens to be controlled when the compoundof formula (I) and the biological control agents are used or employedaccording to the invention are given hereafter:

Agricultural Pests:

-   -   pests from the phylum Arthropoda, especially from the class        Arachnida, for example, Acarus spp., Aceria sheldoni, Aculops        spp., Aculus spp., Amblyomma spp., Amphitetranychus viennensis,        Argas spp., Boophilus spp., Brevipalpus spp., Bryobia graminum,        Bryobia praetiosa, Centruroides spp., Chorioptes spp.,        Dermanyssus gallinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus,        Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermacentor spp., Eotetranychus spp.,        Epitrimerus pyri, Eutetranychus spp., Eriophyes spp.,        Glycyphagus domesticus, Halotydeus destructor, Hemitarsonemus        spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Latrodectus spp., Loxosceles        spp., Metatetranychus spp., Neutrombicula autumnalis, Nuphersa        spp., Oligonychus spp., Ornithodorus spp., Ornithonyssus spp.,        Panonychus spp., Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Polyphagotarsonemus        latus, Psoroptes spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Rhizoglyphus spp.,        Sarcoptes spp., Scorpio maurus, Steneotarsonemus spp.,        Steneotarsonemus spinki, Tarsonemus spp., Tetranychus spp.,        Trombicula alfreddugesi, Vaejovis spp., Vasates lycopersici;    -   from the class Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus spp., Scutigera        spp.;    -   from the order or the class Collembola, for example, Onychiurus        armatus;    -   from the class Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus;    -   from the class Insecta, e.g. from the order Blattodea, for        example, Blattella asahinai, Blattella germanica, Blatta        orientalis, Leucophaea maderae, Panchlora spp., Parcoblatta        spp., Periplaneta spp., Supella longipalpa;    -   from the order Coleoptera, for example, Acalymma vittatum,        Acanthoscelides obtectus, Adoretus spp., Agelastica alni,        Agriotes spp., Alphitobius diaperinus, Amphimallon solstitialis,        Anobium punctatum, Anoplophora spp., Anthonomus spp., Anthrenus        spp., Apion spp., Apogonia spp., Atomaria spp., Attagenus spp.,        Bruchidius obtectus, Bruchus spp., Cassida spp., Cerotoma        trifurcata, Ceutorrhynchus spp., Chaetocnema spp., Cleonus        mendicus, Conoderus spp., Cosmopolites spp., Costelytra        zealandica, Ctenicera spp., Curculio spp., Cryptolestes        ferrugineus, Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Cylindrocopturus spp.,        Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp., Dichocrocis spp., Dicladispa        armigera, Diloboderus spp., Epilachna spp., Epitrix spp.,        Faustinus spp., Gibbium psylloides, Gnathocerus cornutus,        Hellula undalis, Heteronychus arator, Heteronyx spp., Hylamorpha        elegans, Hylotrupes bajulus, Hypera postica, Hypomeces        squamosus, Hypothenemus spp., Lachnosterna consanguinea,        Lasioderma serricome, Latheticus oryzae, Lathridius spp., Lema        spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Leucoptera spp., Lissorhoptrus        oryzophilus, Lixus spp., Luperodes spp., Lyctus spp., Megascelis        spp., Melanotus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Melolontha spp.,        Migdolus spp., Monochamus spp., Naupactus xanthographus,        Necrobia spp., Niptus hololeucus, Oryctes rhinoceros,        Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Oryzaphagus oryzae, Otiorrhynchus        spp., Oxycetonia jucunda, Phaedon cochleariae, Phyllophaga spp.,        Phyllophaga helleri, Phyllotreta spp., Popillia japonica,        Premnotrypes spp., Prostephanus truncatus, Psylliodes spp.,        Ptinus spp., Rhizobius ventralis, Rhizopertha dominica,        Sitophilus spp., Sitophilus oryzae, Sphenophorus spp., Stegobium        paniceum, Sternechus spp., Symphyletes spp., Tanymecus spp.,        Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrioides mauretanicus, Tribolium spp.,        Trogoderma spp., Tychius spp., Xylotrechus spp., Zabrus spp.;    -   from the order Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Agromyza spp.,        Anastrepha spp., Anopheles spp., Asphondylia spp., Bactrocera        spp., Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Calliphora        vicina, Ceratitis capitata, Chironomus spp., Chrysomyia spp.,        Chrysops spp., Chrysozona pluvialis, Cochliomyia spp.,        Contarinia spp., Cordylobia anthropophaga, Cricotopus        sylvestris, Culex spp., Culicoides spp., Culiseta spp.,        Cuterebra spp., Dacus oleae, Dasyneura spp., Delia spp.,        Dermatobia hominis, Drosophila spp., Echinocnemus spp., Fannia        spp., Gasterophilus spp., Glossina spp., Haematopota spp.,        Hydrellia spp., Hydrellia griseola, Hylemya spp., Hippobosca        spp., Hypoderma spp., Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Lutzomyia        spp., Mansonia spp., Musca spp., Oestrus spp., Oscinella frit,        Paratanytarsus spp., Paralauterborniella subcincta, Pegomyia        spp., Phlebotomus spp., Phorbia spp., Phormia spp., Piophila        casei, Prodiplosis spp., Psila rosae, Rhagoletis spp.,        Sarcophaga spp., Simulium spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp.,        Tetanops spp., Tipula spp.;    -   from the order Heteroptera, for example, Anasa tristis,        Antestiopsis spp., Boisea spp., Blissus spp., Calocoris spp.,        Campylomma livida, Cavelerius spp., Cimex spp., Collaria spp.,        Creontiades dilutus, Dasynus piperis, Dichelops furcatus,        Diconocoris hewetti, Dysdercus spp., Euschistus spp., Eurygaster        spp., Heliopeltis spp., Horcias nobilellus, Leptocorisa spp.,        Leptocorisa varicornis, Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lygus spp.,        Macropes excavatus, Miridae, Monalonion atratum, Nezara spp.,        Oebalus spp., Pentomidae, Piesma quadrata, Piezodorus spp.,        Psallus spp., Pseudacysta persea, Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella        singularis, Scaptocoris castanea, Scotinophora spp., Stephanitis        nashi, Tibraca spp., Triatoma spp.;    -   from the order Homoptera, for example, Acizzia        acaciaebaileyanae, Acizzia dodonaeae, Acizzia uncatoides, Acrida        turrita, Acyrthosipon spp., Acrogonia spp., Aeneolamia spp.,        Agonoscena spp., Aleyrodes proletella, Aleurolobus barodensis,        Aleurothrixus floccosus, Allocaridara malayensis, Amrasca spp.,        Anuraphis cardui, Aonidiella spp., Aphanostigma pini, Aphis        spp., Arboridia apicalis, Arytainilla spp., Aspidiella spp.,        Aspidiotus spp., Atanus spp., Aulacorthum solani, Bemisia        tabaci, Blastopsylla occidentalis, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae,        Brachycaudus helichrysi, Brachycolus spp., Brevicoryne        brassicae, Cacopsylla spp., Calligypona marginata, Carneocephala        fulgida, Ceratovacuna lanigera, Cercopidae, Ceroplastes spp.,        Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, Chionaspis tegalensis, Chlorita        onukii, Chondracris rosea, Chromaphis juglandicola,        Chrysomphalus ficus, Cicadulina mbila, Coccomytilus halli,        Coccus spp., Cryptomyzus ribis, Cryptoneossa spp., Ctenarytaina        spp., Dalbulus spp., Dialeurodes citri, Diaphorina citri,        Diaspis spp., Drosicha spp., Dysaphis spp., Dysmicoccus spp.,        Empoasca spp., Eriosoma spp., Erythroneura spp., Eucalyptolyma        spp., Euphyllura spp., Euscelis bilobatus, Ferrisia spp.,        Geococcus coffeae, Glycaspis spp., Heteropsylla cubana,        Heteropsylla spinulosa, Homalodisca coagulata, Hyalopterus        arundinis, Icerya spp., Idiocerus spp., Idioscopus spp.,        Laodelphax striatellus, Lecanium spp., Lepidosaphes spp.,        Lipaphis erysimi, Macrosiphum spp., Macrosteles facifrons,        Mahanarva spp., Melanaphis sacchari, Metcalfiella spp.,        Metopolophium dirhodum, Monellia costalis, Monelliopsis pecanis,        Myzus spp., Nasonovia ribisnigri, Nephotettix spp.,        Nettigoniclla spectra, Nilaparvata lugens, Oncometopia spp.,        Orthezia praelonga, Oxya chinensis, Pachypsylla spp.,        Parabemisia myricae, Paratrioza spp., Parlatoria spp., Pemphigus        spp., Peregrinus maidis, Phenacoccus spp., Phloeomyzus        passerinii, Phorodon humuli, Phylloxera spp., Pinnaspis        aspidistrae, Planococcus spp., Prosopidopsylla flava,        Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona,        Pseudococcus spp., Psyllopsis spp., Psylla spp., Pteromalus        spp., Pyrilla spp., Quadraspidiotus spp., Quesada gigas,        Rastrococcus spp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp.,        Scaphoideus titanus, Schizaphis graminum, Selenaspidus        articulatus, Sogata spp., Sogatella furcifera, Sogatodes spp.,        Stictocephala festina, Siphoninus phillyreae, Tenalaphara        malayensis, Tetragonocephela spp., Tinocallis caryaefoliae,        Tomaspis spp., Toxoptera spp., Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza        spp., Typhlocyba spp., Unaspis spp., Viteus vitifolii, Zygina        spp.;    -   from the order Hymenoptera, for example, Acromyrmex spp.,        Athalia spp., Atta spp., Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius        spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Sirex spp., Solenopsis invicta,        Tapinoma spp., Urocerus spp., Vespa spp., Xeris spp.;    -   from the order Isopoda, for example, Armadillidium vulgare,        Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber;    -   from the order Isoptera, for example, Coptotermes spp.,        Cornitermes cumulans, Cryptotermes spp., Incisitermes spp.,        Microtermes obesi, Odontotermes spp., Reticulitermes spp.;    -   from the order Lepidoptera, for example, Achroia grisella,        Acronicta major, Adoxophyes spp., Aedia leucomelas, Agrotis        spp., Alabama spp., Amyelois transitella, Anarsia spp.,        Anticarsia spp., Argyroploce spp., Barathra brassicae, Borbo        cinnara, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Bupalus piniarius, Busseola        spp., Cacoecia spp., Caloptilia theivora, Capua reticulana,        Carpocapsa pomonella, Carposina niponensis, Cheimatobia brumata,        Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocerus        spp., Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, Cnephasia spp., Conopomorpha        spp., Conotrachelus spp., Copitarsia spp., Cydia spp., Dalaca        noctuides, Diaphania spp., Diatraea saccharalis, Earias spp.,        Ecdytolopha aurantium, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, Eldana        saccharina, Ephestia spp., Epinotia spp., Epiphyas postvittana,        Etiella spp., Eulia spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp.,        Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Galleria mellonella, Gracillaria spp.,        Grapholitha spp., Hedylepta spp., Helicoverpa spp., Heliothis        spp., Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Homoeosoma spp., Homona        spp., Hyponomeuta padella, Kakivoria flavofasciata, Laphygma        spp., Laspeyresia molesta, Leucinodes orbonalis, Leucoptera        spp., Lithocolletis spp., Lithophane antennata, Lobesia spp.,        Loxagrotis albicosta, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosoma        neustria, Maruca testulalis, Mamstra brassicae, Melanitis leda,        Mocis spp., Monopis obviella, Mythimna separata, Nemapogon        cloacellus, Nymphula spp., Oiketicus spp., Oria spp., Orthaga        spp., Ostrinia spp., Oulema oryzae, Panolis flammea, Parnara        spp., Pectinophora spp., Perileucoptera spp., Phthorimaea spp.,        Phyllocnistis citrella, Phyllonorycter spp., Pieris spp.,        Platynota stultana, Plodia interpunctella, Plusia spp., Plutella        xylostella, Prays spp., Prodenia spp., Protoparce spp.,        Pseudaletia spp., Pseudaletia unipuncta, Pseudoplusia includens,        Pyrausta nubilalis, Rachiplusia nu, Schoenobius spp.,        Scirpophaga spp., Scirpophaga innotata, Scotia segetum, Sesamia        spp., Sesamia inferens, Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp.,        Spodoptera praefica, Stathmopoda spp., Stomopteryx subsecivella,        Synanthedon spp., Tecia solanivora, Thermesia gemmatalis, Tinea        cloacella, Tinea pellionella, Tineola bisselliella, Tortrix        spp., Trichophaga tapetzella, Trichoplusia spp., Tryporyza        incertulas, Tuta absoluta, Virachola spp.;    -   from the order Orthoptera or Saltatoria, for example, Acheta        domesticus, Dichroplus spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Hieroglyphus        spp., Locusta spp., Melanoplus spp., Schistocerca gregaria;    -   from the order Phthiraptera, for example, Damalinia spp.,        Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Ptirus        pubis, Trichodectes spp.;    -   from the order Psocoptera for example Lepinatus spp., Liposcelis        spp.;    -   from the order Siphonaptera, for example, Ceratophyllus spp.,        Ctenocephalides spp., Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans,        Xenopsylla cheopsis;    -   from the order Thysanoptera, for example, Anaphothrips obscurus,        Baliothrips biformis, Drepanothrips reuteri, Enneothrips        flavens, Frankliniella spp., Heliothrips spp., Hercinothrips        femoralis, Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips spp.,        Taeniothrips cardamomi, Thrips spp.;    -   from the order Zygentoma (=Thysanura), for example, Ctenolepisma        spp., Lepisma saccharina, Lepismodes inquilinus, Thermobia        domestica;    -   from the class Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella spp.;    -   pests from the phylum Mollusca, especially from the class        Bivalvia, for example, Dreissena spp., and from the class        Gastropoda, for example, Anion spp., Biomphalaria spp., Bulinus        spp., Deroceras spp., Galba spp., Lymnaea spp., Oncomelania        spp., Pomacea spp., Succinea spp.;    -   animal pests from the phylums Plathelminthes and Nematoda, for        example, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum,        Acylostoma braziliensis, Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris spp., Brugia        malayi, Brugia timori, Bunostomum spp., Chabertia spp.,        Clonorchis spp., Cooperia spp., Dicrocoelium spp., Dictyocaulus        filaria, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dracunculus medinensis,        Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Enterobius        vermicularis, Faciola spp., Haemonchus spp., Heterakis spp.,        Hymenolepis nana, Hyostrongulus spp., Loa Loa, Nematodirus spp.,        Oesophagostomum spp., Opisthorchis spp., Onchocerca volvulus,        Ostertagia spp., Paragonimus spp., Schistosomen spp.,        Strongyloides fuelleborni, Strongyloides stercoralis,        Stronyloides spp., Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Trichinella        spiralis, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella        nelsoni, Trichinella pseudopsiralis, Trichostrongulus spp.,        Trichuris trichiura, Wuchereria bancrofti;    -   phytoparasitic pests from the phylum Nematoda, for example,        Aphelenchoides spp., Bursaphelenchus spp., Ditylenchus spp.,        Globodera spp., Heterodera spp., Longidorus spp., Meloidogyne        spp., Pratylenchus spp., Radopholus spp., Trichodorus spp.,        Tylenchulus spp., Xiphinema spp., Helicotylenchus spp.,        Tylenchorhynchus spp., Scutellonema spp., Paratrichodorus spp.,        Meloinema spp., Paraphelenchus spp., Aglenchus spp.,        Belonolaimus spp., Nacobbus spp., Rotylenchulus spp.,        Rotylenchus spp., Neotylenchus spp., Paraphelenchus spp.,        Dolichodorus spp., Hoplolaimus spp., Punctodera spp.,        Criconemella spp., Quinisulcius spp., Hemicycliophora spp.,        Anguina spp., Subanguina spp., Hemicriconemoides spp.,        Psilenchus spp., Pseudohalenchus spp., Criconemoides spp.,        Cacopaurus spp.    -   It is furthermore possible to control organisms from the        subphylum Protozoa, especially from the order Coccidia, such as        Eimeria spp.

Some phytopathogens of fungal diseases which can be treated according tothe invention may be mentioned by way of example, but not by way oflimitation:

-   -   Diseases caused by powdery mildew pathogens, such as, for        example, Blumeria species, such as, for example, Blumeria        graminis; Podosphaera species, such as, for example, Podosphaera        leucotricha; Sphaerotheca species, such as, for example,        Sphaerotheca fuliginea; Uncinula species, such as, for example,        Uncinula necator;    -   Diseases caused by rust disease pathogens, such as, for example,        Gymnosporangium species, such as, for example, Gymnosporangium        sabinae; Hemileia species, such as, for example, Hemileia        vastatrix; Phakopsora species, such as, for example, Phakopsora        pachyrhizi and Phakopsora meibomiae; Puccinia species, such as,        for example, Puccinia recondita or Puccinia triticina; Uromyces        species, such as, for example, Uromyces appendiculatus;    -   Diseases caused by pathogens from the group of the Oomycetes,        such as, for example, Albugo species, such as, for example,        Albugo candida; Bremia species, such as, for example, Bremia        lactucae; Peronospora species, such as, for example, Peronospora        pisi or P. brassicae; Phytophthora species, such as, for example        Phytophthora infestans; Plasmopara species, such as, for        example, Plasmopara viticola; Pseudoperonospora species, such        as, for example, Pseudoperonospora humuli or Pseudoperonospora        cubensis; Pythium species, such as, for example, Pythium        ultimum;    -   Leaf blotch diseases and leaf wilt diseases caused, for example,        by Alternaria species, such as, for example, Alternaria solani;        Cercospora species, such as, for example, Cercospora beticola;        Cladiosporium species, such as, for example, Cladiosporium        cucumerinum; Cochliobolus species, such as, for example,        Cochliobolus sativus (conidia form: Drechslera, Syn:        Helminthosporium) and Cochliobolus miyabeanus; Colletotrichum        species, such as, for example, Colletotrichum lindemuthanium;        Cycloconium species, such as, for example, Cycloconium        oleaginum; Diaporthe species, such as, for example, Diaporthe        citri; Elsinoe species, such as, for example, Elsinoe fawcettii;        Gloeosporium species, such as, for example, Gloeosporium        laeticolor; Glomerella species, such as, for example, Glomerella        cingulata; Guignardia species, such as, for example, Guignardia        bidwelli; Leptosphaeria species, such as, for example,        Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria nodorum; Magnaporthe        species, such as, for example, Magnaporthe grisea; Microdochium        species, such as, for example, Microdochium nivale;        Mycosphaerella species, such as, for example, Mycosphaerella        graminicola, Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Mycosphaerella        fijiensis; Phaeosphaeria species, such as, for example,        Phaeosphaeria nodorum; Pyrenophora species, such as, for        example, Pyrenophora teres and Pyrenophora tritici repentis;        Ramularia species, such as, for example, Ramularia collo-cygni        and Ramularia areola; Rhynchosporium species, such as, for        example, Rhynchosporium secalis; Septoria species, such as, for        example, Septoria apii and Septoria lycopersici; Typhula        species, such as, for example, Typhula incarnata; Venturia        species, such as, for example, Venturia inaequalis;    -   Root, sheath and stem diseases caused, for example, by Corticium        species, such as, for example, Corticium graminearum; Fusarium        species, such as, for example, Fusarium oxysporum;        Gaeumannomyces species, such as, for example, Gaeumannomyces        graminis; Rhizoctonia species, such as, for example Rhizoctonia        solani; Sarocladium species, such as, for example, Sarocladium        oryzae; Sclerotium species, such as, for example, Sclerotium        oryzae; Tapesia species, such as, for example, Tapesia        acuformis; Thielaviopsis species, such as, for example,        Thielaviopsis basicola;    -   Ear and panicle diseases (including maize cobs) caused, for        example, by Alternaria species, such as, for example, Alternaria        spp.; Aspergillus species, such as, for example, Aspergillus        flavus; Cladosporium species, such as, for example, Cladosporium        cladosporioides; Claviceps species, such as, for example,        Claviceps purpurea; Fusarium species, such as, for example,        Fusarium culmorum; Gibberella species, such as, for example,        Gibberella zeae; Monographella species, such as, for example,        Monographella nivalis; Septoria species, such as for example,        Septoria nodorum;    -   Seed- and soil-borne decay, mould, wilt, rot and damping-off        diseases, caused, for example, by Alternaria diseases caused for        example by Alternaria brassicicola; Aphanomyces diseases caused        for example by Aphanomyces euteiches; Ascochyta diseases caused        for example by Ascochyta lentis; Aspergillus diseases caused for        example by Aspergillus flavus; Cladosporium diseases caused for        example by Cladosporium herbarum; Cochliobolus diseases caused        for example by Cochliobolus sativus; (Conidiaform: Drechslera,        Bipolaris Syn: Helminthosporium); Colletotrichum diseases caused        for example by Colletotrichum coccodes; Fusarium diseases caused        for example by Fusarium culmorum; Gibberella diseases caused for        example by Gibberella zeae; Macrophomina diseases caused for        example by Macrophomina phaseolina; Microdochium diseases caused        for example by Microdochium nivale; Monographella diseases        caused for example by Monographella nivalis; Penicillium        diseases caused for example by Penicillium expansum; Phoma        diseases caused for example by Phoma lingam; Phomopsis diseases        caused for example by Phomopsis sojae; Phytophthora diseases        caused for example by Phytophthora cactorum; Pyrenophora        diseases caused for example by Pyrenophora graminea; Pyricularia        diseases caused for example by Pyricularia oryzae; Pythium        diseases caused for example by Pythium ultimum; Rhizoctonia        diseases caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani; Rhizopus        diseases caused for example by Rhizopus oryzae; Sclerotium        diseases caused for example by Sclerotium rolfsii; Septoria        diseases caused for example by Septoria nodorum; Typhula        diseases caused for example by Typhula incarnata; Verticillium        diseases caused for example by Verticillium dahliae;    -   Diseases caused by smut and bunt fungi, such as, for example,        Sphacelotheca species, such as, for example, Sphacelotheca        reiliana; Tilletia species, such as, for example, Tilletia        caries; Tilletia controversa; Urocystis species, such as, for        example, Urocystis occulta; Ustilago species, such as, for        example, Ustilago nuda; Ustilago nuda tritici;    -   Fruit rot caused, for example, by Aspergillus species, such as,        for example, Aspergillus flavus; Botrytis species, such as, for        example, Botrytis cinerea; Penicillium species, such as, for        example, Penicillium expansum and Penicillium purpurogenum;        Rhizopus species, such as, for example, Rhizopus stolonifer;        Sclerotinia species, such as, for example, Sclerotinia        sclerotiorum; Verticilium species, such as, for example,        Verticilium alboatrum;    -   Seed- and soil-borne rot and wilt diseases, and also diseases of        seedlings, caused, for example, by Alternaria species, such as,        for example, Alternaria brassicicola; Aphanomyces species, such        as, for example, Aphanomyces euteiches; Ascochyta species, such        as, for example, Ascochyta lentis; Aspergillus species, such as,        for example, Aspergillus flavus; Cladosporium species, such as,        for example, Cladosporium herbarum; Cochliobolus species, such        as, for example, Cochliobolus sativus (conidiaform: Drechslera,        bipolaris syn: Helminthosporium); Colletotrichum species, such        as, for example, Colletotrichum coccodes; Fusarium species, such        as, for example, Fusarium culmorum; Gibberella species, such as,        for example, Gibberella zeae; Macrophomina species, such as, for        example, Macrophomina phaseolina; Microdochium species, such as,        for example, Microdochium nivale; Monographella species, such        as, for example, Monographella nivalis; Penicillium species,        such as, for example, Penicillium expansum; Phoma species, such        as, for example, Phoma lingam; Phomopsis species, such as, for        example, Phomopsis sojae; Phytophthora species, such as, for        example, Phytophthora cactorum; Pyrenophora species, such as,        for example, Pyrenophora graminea; Pyricularia species, such as,        for example, Pyricularia oryzae Pythium species, such as, for        example, Pythium ultimum; Rhizoctonia species, such as, for        example, Rhizoctonia solani; Rhizopus species, such as, for        example, Rhizopus oryzae; Sclerotium species, such as, for        example, Sclerotium rolfsii; Septoria species, such as, for        example, Septoria nodorum; Typhula species, such as, for        example, Typhula incarnate; Verticillium species, such as, for        example, Verticillium dahliae;    -   Cancerous diseases, galls and witches' broom caused, for        example, by Nectria species, such as, for example, Nectria        galligena;    -   Wilt diseases caused, for example, by Monilinia species, such        as, for example, Monilinia laxa;    -   Deformations of leaves, flowers and fruits caused, for example,        by Exobasidium species, such as, for example, exobasidium        vexans; Taphrina species, such as, for example, Taphrina        deformans;    -   Degenerative diseases of woody plants caused, for example, by        Esca species, such as, for example, Phaemoniella clamydospora        and Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and Fomitiporia mediterranea;        Ganoderma species, such as, for example, Ganoderma boninense;        Rigidoporus species, such as, for example, Rigidoporus lignosus;    -   Club root diseases caused, for example, by Plasmodiophora        species, such as, for example, Plasmodiophora brassicae;    -   Diseases of flowers and seeds caused, for example, by Botrytis        species, such as, for example, Botrytis cinerea;    -   Diseases of plant tubers caused, for example, by Rhizoctonia        species, such as, for example, Rhizoctonia solani;        Helminthosporium species, such as, for example, Helminthosporium        solani;    -   Diseases caused by bacteriopathogens, such as, for example,        Xanthomonas species, such as, for example, Xanthomonas        campestris pv. oryzae; Pseudomonas species, such as, for        example, Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans; Erwinia species,        such as, for example, Erwinia amylovora.

Preference is given to controlling the following diseases of soy beans:

-   -   Fungal diseases on leaves, stems, pods and seeds caused, for        example, by alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria spec. atrans        tenuissima), anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporoides dematium        var. truncatum), brown spot (Septoria glycines), cercospora leaf        spot and blight (Cercospora kikuchii), choanephora leaf blight        (Choanephora infundibulifera trispora (Syn.)), dactuliophora        leaf spot (Dactuliophora glycines), downy mildew (Peronospora        manshurica), drechslera blight (Drechslera glycini), frogeye        leaf spot (Cercospora sojina), leptosphaerulina leaf spot        (Leptosphaerulina trifolii), phyllostica leaf spot (Phyllosticta        sojaecola), pod and stem blight (Phomopsis sojae), powdery        mildew (Microsphaera diffusa), pyrenochaeta leaf spot        (Pyrenochaeta glycines), rhizoctonia aerial, foliage, and web        blight (Rhizoctonia solani), rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi        Phakopsora meibomiae), scab (Sphaceloma glycines), stemphylium        leaf blight (Stemphylium botryosum), target spot (Corynespora        cassiicola).    -   Fungal diseases on roots and the stem base caused, for example,        by black root rot (Calonectria crotalariae), charcoal rot        (Macrophomina phaseolina), fusarium blight or wilt, root rot,        and pod and collar rot (Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium orthoceras,        Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium equiseti), mycoleptodiscus root        rot (Mycoleptodiscus terrestris), neocosmospora (Neocosmopspora        vasinfecta), pod and stem blight (Diaporthe phaseolorum), stem        canker (Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora), phytophthora rot        (Phytophthora megasperma), brown stem rot (Phialophora gregata),        pythium rot (Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium irregulare, Pythium        debaryanum, Pythium myriotylum, Pythium ultimum), rhizoctonia        root rot, stem decay, and damping-off (Rhizoctonia solani),        sclerotinia stem decay (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), sclerotinia        Southern blight (Sclerotinia rolfsii), thielaviopsis root rot        (Thielaviopsis basicola).

It is also possible to control resistant strains of the organismsmentioned above.

In addition, the compound of formula (I) in combination with at leastone biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant as given herein can also exhibit very goodantimycotic activity, in particular against dermatophytes and yeasts,moulds and diphasic fungi (for example against Candida species such asCandida albicans, Candida glabrata) and Epidermophyton floccosum,Aspergillus species such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus,Trichophyton species such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporonspecies such as Microsporon canis and audouinii. The list of these fungiby no means limits the mycotic spectrum which can be covered, but isonly for illustration.

Furthermore, the compound of formula (I) in combination with at leastone biological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant as given herein can also be used to reduce thecontents of mycotoxins in plants and the harvested plant material andtherefore in foods and animal feed stuff made therefrom. Especially butnot exclusively the following mycotoxins can be specified:Deoxynivalenole (DON), Nivalenole, 15-Ac-DON, 3-Ac-DON, T2-undHT2-Toxins, Fumonisines, Zearalenone Moniliformine, Fusarine,Diaceotoxyscirpenole (DAS), Beauvericine, Enniatine, Fusaroproliferine,Fusarenole, Ochratoxines, Patuline, Ergotalkaloides und Aflatoxins,which are caused for example by the following fungal diseases: Fusariumspec., like Fusarium acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. crookwellense, F.culmorum, F. graminearum (Gibberella zeae), F. equiseti, F. fujikoroi,F. musarum, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. poae, F. pseudograminearum, F. sambucinum, F. scirpi, F. semitectum, F. solani, F.sporotrichoides, F. langsethiae, F. subglutinans, F. tricinctum, F.verticillioides and others but also by Aspergillus spec., Penicilliumspec., Claviceps purpurea, Stachybotrys spec. and others.

Moreover, plants and plant parts which are mentioned herein are allplants and plant populations, such as desired and undesired wild plantsor crop plants (including naturally occurring crop plants). Crop plantscan be plants which can be obtained by traditional breeding andoptimization methods or by biotechnological and recombinant methods, orcombinations of these methods, including the transgenic plants andincluding the plant varieties capable or not of being protected by PlantBreeders' Rights. Plant parts are understood as meaning all aerial andsubterranean parts and organs of the plants, such as shoot, leaf, flowerand root, examples which may be mentioned being leaves, needles, stalks,stems, flowers, fruiting bodies, fruits and seeds, and also roots,tubers and rhizomes. The plant parts also include crop material andvegetative and generative propagation material, for example cuttings,tubers, rhizomes, slips and seeds.

As has already been mentioned above, all plants and their parts may betreated in accordance with the invention. In a preferred embodiment,plant species and plant varieties, and their parts, which grow wild orwhich are obtained by traditional biological breeding methods such ashybridization or protoplast fusion are treated. In a further preferredembodiment, transgenic plants and plant varieties which have beenobtained by recombinant methods, if appropriate in combination withtraditional methods (genetically modified organisms), and their partsare treated. The term “parts” or “parts of plants” or “plant parts” hasbeen explained hereinabove. Plants of the plant varieties which are ineach case commercially available or in use are especially preferablytreated in accordance with the invention. Plant varieties are understoodas meaning plants with novel traits which have been bred both bytraditional breeding, by mutagenesis or by recombinant DNA techniques.They may take the form of varieties, races, biotypes and genotypes.

Preferred plants are those from the group of the useful plants,ornamentals, turfs, generally used trees which are employed asornamentals in the public and domestic sectors, and forestry trees.Forestry trees comprise trees for the production of timber, cellulose,paper and products made from parts of the trees.

The term useful plants as used in the present context refers to cropplants which are employed as plants for obtaining foodstuffs,feedstuffs, fuels or for industrial purposes.

The useful plants which can be improved with by using or employing thecompound of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as wellas the mixtures (I-1-1)/(1-1-7), (I-1-2)/(I-1-8) and the at least onebiological control agent selected from bacteria, in particularspore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant, include for example the following types ofplants: turf, vines, cereals, for example wheat, barley, rye, oats,rice, maize and millet/sorghum; beet, for example sugar beet and fodderbeet; fruits, for example pome fruit, stone fruit and soft fruit, forexample apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries and berries,for example strawberries, raspberries, blackberries; legumes, forexample beans, lentils, peas and soybeans; oil crops, for exampleoilseed rape, mustard, poppies, olives, sunflowers, coconuts, castor oilplants, cacao and peanuts; cucurbits, for example pumpkin/squash,cucumbers and melons; fibre plants, for example cotton, flax, hemp andjute; citrus fruit, for example oranges, lemons, grapefruit andtangerines; vegetables, for example spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbagespecies, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes and bell peppers;Lauraceae, for example avocado, Cinnamomum, camphor, or else plants suchas tobacco, nuts, coffee, aubergine, sugar cane, tea, pepper,grapevines, hops, bananas, latex plants and ornamentals, for exampleflowers, shrubs, deciduous trees and coniferous trees.

The following plants are considered to be particularly suitable targetcrops for using or employing the compound of formula (I), preferablycompound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(1-1-7),(1-1-2)/(1-1-8) and the at least one biological control agent selectedfrom bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant: cotton, aubergine, turf, pomefruit, stone fruit, soft fruit, maize, wheat, barley, cucumber, tobacco,vines, rice, cereals, pear, beans, soybeans, oilseed rape, tomato, bellpepper, melons, cabbage, potato and apple.

Examples of trees are: Abies sp., Eucalyptus sp., Picea sp., Pinus sp.,Aesculus sp., Platanus sp., Tilia sp., Acer sp., Tsuga sp., Fraxinussp., Sorbus sp., Betula sp., Crataegus sp., Ulmus sp., Quercus sp.,Fagus sp., Salix sp., Populus sp.

Preferred trees which can be improved in accordance with the methodaccording to the invention are: from the tree species Aesculus: A.hippocastanum, A. pariflora, A. carnea; from the tree species Platanus:P. aceriflora, P. occidentalis, P. racemosa; from the tree speciesPicea: P. abies; from the tree species Pinus: P. radiata, P. ponderosa,P. contorta, P. sylvestre, P. elliottii, P. montecola, P. albicaulis, P.resinosa, P. palustris, P. taeda, P. flexilis, P. jeffregi, P. baksiana,P. strobus; from the tree species Eucalyptus: E. grandis, E. globulus,E. camadentis, E. nitens, E. obliqua, E. regnans, E. pilularus.

Especially preferred trees which can be improved in accordance with themethod according to the invention are: from the tree species Pinus: P.radiata, P. ponderosa, P. contorta, P. sylvestre, P. strobus; from thetree species Eucalyptus: E. grandis, E. globulus, E. camadentis.

Very particularly preferred trees which can be improved in accordancewith the method according to the invention are: horse chestnut,Platanaceae, linden tree, maple tree.

The present invention can also be applied to any turf grasses, includingcool-season turf grasses and warm-season turf grasses. Examples ofcold-season turf grasses are bluegrasses (Poa spp.), such as Kentuckybluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis L.), Canadabluegrass (Poa compressa L.), annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), uplandbluegrass (Poa glaucantha Gaudin), wood bluegrass (Poa nemoralis L.) andbulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa L.); bentgrasses (Agrostis spp.) such ascreeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.), colonial bentgrass(Agrostis tenuis Sibth.), velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.), SouthGerman mixed bentgrass (Agrostis spp. including Agrostis tenuis Sibth.,Agrostis canina L., and Agrostis palustris Huds.), and redtop (Agrostisalba L.); fescues (Festuca spp.), such as red fescue (Festuca rubra L.spp. rubra), creeping fescue (Festuca rubra L.), chewings fescue(Festuca rubra commutata Gaud.), sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.), hardfescue (Festuca longifolia Thuill.), hair fescue (Festucu capillataLam), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and meadow fescue(Festuca elanor L.); ryegrasses (Lolium spp.), such as annual ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum Lam), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) andItalian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam); and wheatgrasses (Agropyronspp.), such as fairway wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.),crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.) and westernwheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.).

Examples of further cool-season turf grasses are beachgrass (Ammophilabreviligulata Fern.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.),cattails such as timothy (Phleum pratense L.), sand cattail (Phleumsubulatum L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), weeping alkaligrass(Puccinellia distans (L.) Parl.) and crested dog's-tail (Cynosuruscristatus L.).

Examples of warm-season turf grasses are Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp. L.C. Rich), zoysia grass (Zoysia spp. Willd.), St. Augustine grass(Stenotaphrum secundatum Walt Kuntze), centipede grass (Eremochloaophiuroides Munro Hack.), carpetgrass (Axonopus affinis Chase), Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinumHochst. ex Chiov.), buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloids (Nutt.) Engelm.),blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Griffiths), seashorepaspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) and sideoats grama (Boutelouacurtipendula (Michx. Torr.). Cool-season turf grasses are generallypreferred for the use according to the invention. Especially preferredare bluegrass, benchgrass and redtop, fescues and ryegrasses. Bentgrassis especially preferred.

It is understood that if not mentioned otherwise all references toplant, plant parts, seeds, plants emerging from the seed includesconventional or transgenic plant, plant parts, seeds, plants emergingfrom the seed. Transgenic (genetically modified) plants are plants ofwhich a heterologous gene has been stably integrated into the genome.The expression “heterologous gene” essentially means a gene which isprovided or assembled outside the plant and when introduced in thenuclear, chloroplastic or mitochondrial genome gives the transformedplant new or improved agronomic or other properties by expressing aprotein or polypeptide of interest or by down regulating or silencingother gene(s) which are present in the plant (using for example,antisense technology, co-suppression technology or RNAinterference—RNAi—technology). A heterologous gene that is located inthe genome is also called a transgene. A transgene that is defined byits particular location in the plant genome is called a transformationor transgenic event.

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location andgrowth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), using oremploying the compound of formula (I), preferably compound (I-1-1),(I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(1-1-7), (1-1-2)/(1-1-8) andthe at least one biological control agent selected from bacteria, inparticular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses,entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts, or products producedby microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, andoptionally the inoculant the treatment according to the invention mayalso result in super-additive (“synergistic”) effects. Thus, forexample, by using or employing the compound of formula (I), preferablycompound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(1-1-7),(1-1-2)/(1-1-8) and the at least one biological control agent selectedfrom bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts,or a protein produced by bacteria, and optionally the inoculant in thetreatment according to the invention, reduced application rates and/or awidening of the activity spectrum and/or an increase in the activitybetter plant growth, increased tolerance to high or low temperatures,increased tolerance to drought or to water or soil salt content,increased flowering performance, easier harvesting, acceleratedmaturation, higher harvest yields, bigger fruits, larger plant height,greener leaf color, earlier flowering, higher quality and/or a highernutritional value of the harvested products, higher sugar concentrationwithin the fruits, better storage stability and/or processability of theharvested products are possible, which exceed the effects which wereactually to be expected.

At certain application rates of the compound of formula (I), preferablycompound (I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(1-1-7),(1-1-2)/(1-1-8) and the at least one biological control agent selectedfrom bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts,or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant in the treatment according tothe invention may also have a strengthening effect in plants. Thedefense system of the plant against attack by unwanted phytopathogenicfungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses is mobilized.Plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are to beunderstood as meaning, in the present context, those substances orcombinations of substances which are capable of stimulating the defensesystem of plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated withunwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses, thetreated plants display a substantial degree of resistance to thesephytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses, Thus, byusing or employing the compound of formula (I), preferably compound(I-1-1), (I-1-2), as well as the mixtures (I-1-1)/(1-1-7),(1-1-2)/(1-1-8) and the at least one biological control agent selectedfrom bacteria, in particular spore-forming bacteria, fungi or yeasts,protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extractsor products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondarymetabolites, and optionally the inoculant in the treatment according tothe invention, plants can be protected against attack by theabovementioned pathogens within a certain period of time after thetreatment. The period of time within which protection is effectedgenerally extends from 1 to 10 days, preferably 1 to 7 days, after thetreatment of the plants with the active compounds.

Plants and plant cultivars which are preferably to be treated accordingto the invention include all plants which have genetic material whichimpart particularly advantageous, useful traits to these plants (whetherobtained by breeding and/or biotechnological means).

Plants and plant cultivars which are also preferably to be treatedaccording to the invention are resistant against one or more bioticstresses, i.e. said plants show a better defense against animal andmicrobial pests, such as against nematodes, insects, mites,phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Examples of nematode resistant plants are described in e.g. U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 11/765,491, 11/765,494, 10/926,819, 10/782,020,12/032,479, 10/783,417, 10/782,096, 11/657,964, 12/192,904, 11/396,808,12/166,253, 12/166,239, 12/166,124, 12/166,209, 11/762,886, 12/364,335,11/763,947, 12/252,453, 12/209,354, 12/491,396 or 12/497,221.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention are those plants which are resistant to one or more abioticstresses. Abiotic stress conditions may include, for example, drought,cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, flooding,increased soil salinity, increased mineral exposure, ozon exposure, highlight exposure, limited availability of nitrogen nutrients, limitedavailability of phosphorus nutrients, shade avoidance.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention, are those plants characterized by enhanced yieldcharacteristics. Increased yield in said plants can be the result of,for example, improved plant physiology, growth and development, such aswater use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen use,enhanced carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increasedgermination efficiency and accelerated maturation. Yield can furthermorebe affected by improved plant architecture (under stress and non-stressconditions), including but not limited to, early flowering, floweringcontrol for hybrid seed production, seedling vigor, plant size,internode number and distance, root growth, seed size, fruit size, podsize, pod or ear number, seed number per pod or ear, seed mass, enhancedseed filling, reduced seed dispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodgingresistance. Further yield traits include seed composition, such ascarbohydrate content, protein content, oil content and composition,nutritional value, reduction in anti-nutritional compounds, improvedprocessability and better storage stability.

Plants that may be treated according to the invention are hybrid plantsthat already express the characteristic of heterosis or hybrid vigorwhich results in generally higher yield, vigor, health and resistancetowards biotic and abiotic stress factors. Such plants are typicallymade by crossing an inbred male-sterile parent line (the female parent)with another inbred male-fertile parent line (the male parent). Hybridseed is typically harvested from the male sterile plants and sold togrowers. Male sterile plants can sometimes (e.g. in corn) be produced bydetasseling, i.e. the mechanical removal of the male reproductive organs(or males flowers) but, more typically, male sterility is the result ofgenetic determinants in the plant genome. In that case, and especiallywhen seed is the desired product to be harvested from the hybrid plantsit is typically useful to ensure that male fertility in the hybridplants is fully restored. This can be accomplished by ensuring that themale parents have appropriate fertility restorer genes which are capableof restoring the male fertility in hybrid plants that contain thegenetic determinants responsible for male-sterility. Geneticdeterminants for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm.Examples of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were for instance describedin Brassica species. However, genetic determinants for male sterilitycan also be located in the nuclear genome. Male sterile plants can alsobe obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering.A particularly useful means of obtaining male-sterile plants isdescribed in WO 89/10396 in which, for example, a ribonuclease such asbarnase is selectively expressed in the tapetum cells in the stamens.Fertility can then be restored by expression in the tapetum cells of aribonuclease inhibitor such as barstar.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may be treated according to the inventionare herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to one or moregiven herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either by genetictransformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutationimparting such herbicide tolerance.

Herbicide-tolerant plants are for example glyphosate-tolerant plants,i.e. plants made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof.Plants can be made tolerant to glyphosate through different means. Forexample, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming theplant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphatesynthase (EPSPS). Examples of such EPSPS genes are the AroA gene (mutantCT7) of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium (Comai et al., 1983,Science 221, 370-371), the CP4 gene of the bacterium Agrobacterium sp(Barry et al., 1992, Curr. Topics Plant Physiol. 7, 139-145), the genesencoding a Petunia EPSPS (Shah et al., 1986, Science 233, 478-481), aTomato EPSPS (Gasser et al., 1988, J. Biol. Chem. 263, 4280-4289), or anEleusine EPSPS (WO 01/66704). It can also be a mutated EPSPS.Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a genethat encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerantplants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes aglyphosate acetyl transferase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerant plants canalso be obtained by selecting plants containing naturally-occurringmutations of the above-mentioned genes.

Other herbicide resistant plants are for example plants that are madetolerant to herbicides inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthase, such asbialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate. Such plants can be obtainedby expressing an enzyme detoxifying the herbicide or a mutant glutaminesynthase enzyme that is resistant to inhibition. One such efficientdetoxifying enzyme is an enzyme encoding a phosphinothricinacetyltransferase (such as the bar or pat protein from Streptomycesspecies). Plants expressing an exogenous phosphinothricinacetyltransferase are also described.

Further herbicide-tolerant plants are also plants that are made tolerantto the herbicides inhibiting the enzyme hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenase(HPPD). Hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenases are enzymes that catalyze thereaction in which para-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) is transformed intohomogentisate. Plants tolerant to HPPD-inhibitors can be transformedwith a gene encoding a naturally-occurring resistant HPPD enzyme, or agene encoding a mutated or chimeric HPPD enzyme as described in WO96/38567, WO 99/24585, WO 99/24586, WO 2009/144079, WO 2002/046387, orU.S. Pat. No. 6,768,044. Tolerance to HPPD-inhibitors can also beobtained by transforming plants with genes encoding certain enzymesenabling the formation of homogentisate despite the inhibition of thenative HPPD enzyme by the HPPD-inhibitor. Such plants and genes aredescribed in WO 99/34008 and WO 02/36787. Tolerance of plants to HPPDinhibitors can also be improved by transforming plants with a geneencoding an enzyme prephenate dehydrogenase in addition to a geneencoding an HPPD-tolerant enzyme, as described in WO 2004/024928.Further, plants can be made more tolerant to HPPD-inhibitor herbicidesby adding into their genome a gene encoding an enzyme capable ofmetabolizing or degrading HPPD inhibitors, such as the CYP450 enzymesshown in WO 2007/103567 and WO 2008/150473.

Still further herbicide resistant plants are plants that are madetolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS-inhibitorsinclude, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidines,pyrimidinyoxy(thio)benzoates, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinoneherbicides. Different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known asacetohydroxyacid synthase, AHAS) are known to confer tolerance todifferent herbicides and groups of herbicides, as described for examplein Tranel and Wright (2002, Weed Science 50:700-712). The production ofsulfonylurea-tolerant plants and imidazolinone-tolerant plants isdescribed in WO 1996/033270. Other imidazolinone-tolerant plants arealso described. Further sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-tolerant plantsare also described in for example WO 2007/024782.

Other plants tolerant to imidazolinone and/or sulfonylurea can beobtained by induced mutagenesis, selection in cell cultures in thepresence of the herbicide or mutation breeding as described for examplefor soybeans in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,082, for rice rice in WO 97/41218,for sugar beet in U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,702 and WO 99/057965, for lettucein U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,599, or for sunflower in WO 01/065922.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e. plants maderesistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containinga mutation imparting such insect resistance.

An “insect-resistant transgenic plant”, as used herein, includes anyplant containing at least one transgene comprising a coding sequenceencoding:

-   -   1) An insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis        or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as the insecticidal        crystal proteins listed online at:    -   http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/Home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/, or        insecticidal portions thereof, e.g., proteins of the Cry protein        classes Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1B, Cry1C, Cry1D, Cry1F, Cry2Ab,        Cry3Aa, or Cry3Bb or insecticidal portions thereof (e.g. EP        1999141_and WO 2007/107302), or such proteins encoded by        synthetic genes as e.g. described in U.S. patent application        Ser. No. 12/249,016; or    -   2) a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion        thereof which is insecticidal in the presence of a second other        crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion        thereof, such as the binary toxin made up of the Cry34 and Cry35        crystal proteins (Moellenbeck et al. 2001, Nat. Biotechnol. 19:        668-72; Schnepf et al. 2006, Applied Environm. Microbiol. 71,        1765-1774) or the binary toxin made up of the Cry1A or Cry1F        proteins and the Cry2Aa or Cry2Ab or Cry2Ae proteins (U.S.        patent application Ser. No. 12/214,022 and EP 08010791.5); or    -   3) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts of different        insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, such        as a hybrid of the proteins of 1) above or a hybrid of the        proteins of 2) above, e.g., the Cry1A.105 protein produced by        corn event MON98034 (WO 2007/027777); or    -   4) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,        particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another        amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target        insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect        species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the        encoding DNA during cloning or transformation, such as the        Cry3Bb1 protein in corn events MON863 or MON88017, or the Cry3A        protein in corn event MIR604;    -   5) an insecticidal secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis        or Bacillus cereus, or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as        the vegetative insecticidal (VIP) proteins listed at:    -   http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/vip.html,        e.g. proteins from the VIP3Aa protein class; or    -   6) secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus        cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a second        secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or B. cereus, such        as the binary toxin made up of the VIP1A and VIP2A proteins (WO        94/21795); or    -   7) hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts from different        secreted proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus        cereus, such as a hybrid of the proteins in 1) above or a hybrid        of the proteins in 2) above; or    -   8) protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,        particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another        amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target        insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect        species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the        encoding DNA during cloning or transformation (while still        encoding an insecticidal protein), such as the VIP3Aa protein in        cotton event COT102; or    -   9) a secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus        cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a crystal        protein from Bacillus thuringiensis, such as the binary toxin        made up of VIP3 and Cry1A or Cry1F (U.S. Patent Appl. No.        61/126,083 and 61/195,019), or the binary toxin made up of the        VIP3 protein and the Cry2Aa or Cry2Ab or Cry2Ae proteins (U.S.        patent application Ser. No. 12/214,022 and EP 08010791.5).    -   10) a protein of 9) above wherein some, particularly 1 to 10,        amino acids have been replaced by another amino acid to obtain a        higher insecticidal activity to a target insect species, and/or        to expand the range of target insect species affected, and/or        because of changes introduced into the encoding DNA during        cloning or transformation (while still encoding an insecticidal        protein)

Of course, an insect-resistant transgenic plant, as used herein, alsoincludes any plant comprising a combination of genes encoding theproteins of any one of the above classes 1 to 10. In one embodiment, aninsect-resistant plant contains more than one transgene encoding aprotein of any one of the above classes 1 to 10, to expand the range oftarget insect species affected when using different proteins directed atdifferent target insect species, or to delay insect resistancedevelopment to the plants by using different proteins insecticidal tothe same target insect species but having a different mode of action,such as binding to different receptor binding sites in the insect.

An “insect-resistant transgenic plant”, as used herein, further includesany plant containing at least one transgene comprising a sequenceproducing upon expression a double-stranded RNA which upon ingestion bya plant insect pest inhibits the growth of this insect pest.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are tolerant to abiotic stresses. Such plants can be obtainedby genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing amutation imparting such stress resistance. Particularly useful stresstolerance plants include:

-   -   a. plants which contain a transgene capable of reducing the        expression and/or the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase        (PARP) gene in the plant cells or plants    -   b. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene        capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the        poly(ADP-ribose)glycohydrolase (PARG) encoding genes of the        plants or plants cells.    -   c. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene        coding for a plant-functional enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine        dinucleotide salvage synthesis pathway including nicotinamidase,        nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinic acid        mononucleotide adenyl transferase, nicotinamide adenine        dinucleotide synthetase or nicotine amide        phosphorybosyltransferase.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention show altered quantity, quality and/or storage-stability of theharvested product and/or altered properties of specific ingredients ofthe harvested product such as:

-   -   1) transgenic plants which synthesize a modified starch, which        in its physical-chemical characteristics, in particular the        amylose content or the amylose/amylopectin ratio, the degree of        branching, the average chain length, the side chain        distribution, the viscosity behaviour, the gelling strength, the        starch grain size and/or the starch grain morphology, is changed        in comparison with the synthesised starch in wild type plant        cells or plants, so that this is better suited for special        applications.    -   2) transgenic plants which synthesize non starch carbohydrate        polymers or which synthesize non starch carbohydrate polymers        with altered properties in comparison to wild type plants        without genetic modification. Examples are plants producing        polyfructose, especially of the inulin and levan-type, plants        producing alpha 1,4 glucans, plants producing alpha-1,6 branched        alpha-1,4-glucans, plants producing alternan,    -   3) transgenic plants which produce hyaluronan.    -   4) transgenic plants or hybrid plants, such as onions with        characteristics such as ‘high soluble solids content’, low        pungency′ (LP) and/or ‘long storage’ (LS).

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as cotton plants, with altered fibercharacteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformationor by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such alteredfiber characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of        cellulose synthase genes,    -   b) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of        rsw2 or rsw3 homologous nucleic acids,    -   c) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of        sucrose phosphate synthase,    -   d) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of        sucrose synthase,    -   e) Plants, such as cotton plants, wherein the timing of the        plasmodesmatal gating at the basis of the fiber cell is altered,        e.g. through downregulation of fiberselective β 1,3-glucanase,    -   f) Plants, such as cotton plants, having fibers with altered        reactivity, e.g. through the expression of        N-acteylglucosaminetransferase gene including nodC and        chitinsynthase genes.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassicaplants, with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants contain amutation imparting such altered oil characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a        high oleic acid content,    -   b) Plants such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a        low linolenic acid content,    -   c) Plant such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a low        level of saturated fatty acids.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as potatoes which are virus-resistant,e.g. against potato virus Y (event SY230 and SY233 from Tecnoplant,Argentina), which are disease resistant, e.g. against potato late blight(e.g. RB gene), which show a reduction in cold-induced sweetening(carrying the Nt-Inhh, RR-INV gene) or which possess a dwarf phenotype(Gene A-20 oxidase).

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassicaplants, with altered seed shattering characteristics. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants contain amutation imparting such altered seed shattering characteristics andinclude plants such as oilseed rape plants with delayed or reduced seedshattering.

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants which comprise one or more genes which encodeone or more toxins, such as the following which are sold under the tradenames YIELD GARD® (for example maize, cotton, soya beans), KnockOut®(for example maize), BiteGard® (for example maize), Bt-Xtra® (forexample maize), StarLink® (for example maize), Bollgard® (cotton),Nucotn® (cotton), Nucotn 33B (cotton), NatureGard® (for example maize),Protecta® and NewLeaf® (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plantswhich may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties and soyabean varieties which are sold under the trade names Roundup Ready®(tolerance to glyphosate, for example maize, cotton, soya bean), LibertyLink® (tolerance to phosphinotricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI®(tolerance to imidazolinones) and STS (tolerance to sulphonylureas, forexample maize) Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in a conventionalmanner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentioned include thevarieties sold under the name Clearfield® (for example maize).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants containing transformation events, orcombination of transformation events, that are listed for example in thedatabases from various national or regional regulatory agencies (see forexample

http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx andhttp://www.agbios.com/dbase.php).

The invention is illustrated by the following examples withoutrestricting the scope of invention:

Formula for the Efficacy of the Combination of Two Compounds

The expected efficacy of a given combination of two compounds iscalculated as follows (see Colby, S. R., “Calculating Synergistic andantagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 15, pp. 20-22,1967):

if

-   -   X is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated        control for test compound A at a concentration of m ppm or m        g/ha,    -   Y is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated        control for test compound B at a concentration of n ppm or n        g/ha,    -   E is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated        control using the mixture of A and B at m and n ppm or m and n        g/ha,    -   then is

$E = {X + Y - {\frac{X \cdot Y}{100}.}}$

If the observed insecticidal efficacy of the combination is higher thanthe one calculated as “E”, then the combination of the two compounds ismore than additive, i.e., there is a synergistic effect.

EXAMPLE 1 Phaedon cochleariae Larvae—Spray Application

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight of acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight of dimethylformamide        Emulsifier: 0.5 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. The preparation of bacteria, fungior yeast products contains 10⁹-10¹⁰ spores/g or cells/g, the preparationof the virus 10¹³ particles/1. To produce a suitable preparation of abiological suspension the cells, viruses or spores are diluted withemulsifier-containing water to the desired concentration.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) leaf-discs are sprayed with apreparation of the active ingredient of the desired concentration. Oncedry, the leaf discs are infested with mustard beetle larvae (Phaedoncochleariae).

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means that all the beetle larvae have been killed; 0% means that none ofthe beetle larvae have been killed. The mortality values thus determinedare recalculated using the Colby-formula.

The following combinations of compound and biological showed asynergistic effect according to the invention:

TABLE 1 Phaedon cochleariae larvae - Test Active ingredient/biologicalConcentration Mortality in control agent g ai/ha % after 2^(d) Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) 0.8 67 Thymol 1000  0 obs.* cal.** Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) + 0.8 + 1000 100 67 Thymol Active ingredient/biologicalConcentration Mortality in control agent g ai/ha % after 6^(d) Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) 0.8 83  0.16 67  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain FZB 422000 0 (Rhizovital flüssig, 2.5 × 10¹⁰ cfu/ml) obs.* cal.** Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) + 0.8 + 2000 100 83 Bacillus amyloliquefaciensMetschnikowia fructicola 1000 0 (Shemer, 2 × 10¹⁰ cells/g) obs.* cal.**Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) + M. fructicola 0.8 + 1000 100 83 Cydia pomonellaGranulosis virus (CpGV) 1000 0 (MiniMadex) obs.* cal.** Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) + 0.8 + 1000 100 83 CpGV Virus Metarhizium anisopliae 1000 (MET52, 9 × 10⁸ cfu/g) Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) + M. anisopliae obs.*cal.** 0.8 + 100  100 83 Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 4000 0(BioAct, 1 × 10¹⁰ spores/g) Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) + Paecilomyces obs.*cal.** lilacinus strain 251 0.16 + 4000  100 67 *obs. = observedinsecticidal efficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

EXAMPLE 2 Spodoptera frugiperda—Spray Application

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight of acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight of dimethylformamide        Emulsifier: 0.5 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. The preparation of the bacteria,fungi or yeast products contains 10⁹-10¹⁰ spores/g or cells/g, thepreparation of the virus 10¹³ particles/1. To produce a suitablepreparation of a biological suspension the cells, viruses or spores arediluted with emulsifier-containing water to the desired concentration.

Corn (Zea mais) leaf-discs are sprayed with a preparation of the activeingredient of the desired concentration. Once dry, the leaf discs areinfested with fall armyworm larvae (Spodoptera frugiperda).

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means that all the caterpillars have been killed; 0% means that none ofthe caterpillars have been killed. The mortality values thus determinedare recalculated using the Colby-formula.

The following combinations of compound and biological showed asynergistic effect according to the invention:

TABLE 2 Spodoptera frugiperda - Test Active ingredient/biologicalConcentration Mortality in control agent g ai/ha % after 2^(d) Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) 0.16 0 Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 4000 0 (BioAct, 1× 10¹⁰ spores/g) obs.* cal.** Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) + Paecilomyces0.16 + 4000 100 0 lilacinus strain 251 Harpin 1.5 0 obs.* cal.**Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) + 0.16 + 1.5    50 0 Harpin Activeingredient/biological Concentration Mortalility in control agent g ai/ha% after 6^(d) Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) 0.16 67 Cydia pomonella Granulosis1000  0 virus (CpGV) (MiniMadex) obs.* cal.** Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) +0.16 + 1000 83 67 CpGV Virus *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy,**cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

EXAMPLE 3 Tetranychus-urticae—Test (OP-Resistant Spray Application)

Solvent: 78 parts by weight acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight dimethylformamide        Wetting agent: 0.5 parts by weight alkylarylpolyglcolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. The preparation of the bacteria,fungi or yeast products contains 10⁹-10¹⁰ spores/g or cells/g. Toproduce a suitable preparation of a biological suspension the cells,viruses or spores are diluted with emulsifier-containing water to thedesired concentration.

French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) infected with all developmental stagesof the two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), are sprayed with apreparation of the active ingredient at the desired dose rates.

After the specified period of time, activity in % is determined Thus100% means that all spider mites have been killed and 0% means that noneof the spider mites have been killed. The mortality values determinedthus are recalculated using the Colby-formula (see sheet 1).

The following combinations of compound and biological showed asynergistic effect according to the invention:

TABLE 3 Tetranychus urticae - Test Active ingredient/biologicalConcentration Mortality in control agent g ai/ha % after 6^(d) Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) 4 0 0.8 0 Harpin 1.5 0 obs.* cal.** Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) + 4 + 1.5  70 0 Harpin Metschnikowia fructicola 1000 0(Shemer, 2 × 10¹⁰ cells/g) obs.* cal.** Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) + M.fructicola 0.8 + 1000 100 0 *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy,**cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

EXAMPLE 4 Seed Treatment—Germination Test Soybean

Seeds of soybean (Glycine max) were treated by being mixed with thedesired amount of active compound and spores and water. After drying, 25seeds were sown into each pot filled with sandy loam.

After the specified period of time the level of activity expressed in %was determined. The level of activity was calculated on the basis of thenumber of soybean plants which have successfully germinated.

The following combination of compound and biological showed a superiorgermination effect compared to the single treatments and control:

TABLE 4 Germination of Soybean % Germination after 4 days Activeingredient/biological Concentration control was control agent g ai/kgseeds set 100% Control (seeds without treatment) 100 Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) 0.3 92.98 0.15 92.98 Bacillus subtilis strain GB 03 0.15684.21 Kodiak, 5.5 × 10¹⁰ spores/g) 0.078 77.19 Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) +0.15 + 0.156 107.02 Bacillus subtilis  0.3 + 0.078 110.53 % Germinationafter 5 days Active ingredient/biological Concentration control wascontrol agent g ai/kg seeds set 100% Control (seeds without treatment)100 Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) 0.15 96.55 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB 420.15 91.38 (Rhizovital flüssig, 2.5 × 10¹⁰ cfu/ml) Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) + Bacillus 0.15 + 0.15 100 amyloliquefaciens

EXAMPLE 5 Phaedon cochleariae Larvae—Spray Application

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight of acetone

-   -   1.5 parts by weight of dimethylformamide        Emulsifier: 0.5 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation ofa biological suspension the cells, viruses or spores are diluted withemulsifier-containing water to the desired concentration.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) leaf-discs are sprayed with apreparation of the active ingredient of the desired concentration. Oncedry, the leaf discs are infested with mustard beetle larvae (Phaedoncochleariae).

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means that all the beetle larvae have been killed; 0% means that none ofthe beetle larvae have been killed. The mortality values thus determinedare recalculated using the Colby-formula.

The following combinations of compound and biological showed asynergistic effect according to the invention:

TABLE 5 Phaedon cochleariae larvae - Test Active ingredient/biologicalConcentration Mortality in control agent ppm % after 1^(d) Compound(I-1-1/I-1-7) 0.8 35 Bacillus pumilus strain QST2808 1000  0 (Sonata,1.0 × 10⁹ cfu/g) obs.* cal.** Compound (I-1-1/I-1-7) + 0.8 + 1000 60 35Bacillus pumilus strain QST2808 1:1250 *obs. = observed insecticidalefficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

1. A composition comprising an anthranilic acid diamide derivative with one or more heteroaromatic and heterocyclic substituents of formula (I)

in which R¹ represents hydrogen, amino or hydroxyl or represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl each of which is unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or different substituents selectable independently of one another from halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, (C₁-C₄-alkoxy)carbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino or (C₁-C₄-alkyl)C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, R² represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl or C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, R³ represents hydrogen or represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl each of which is optionally substituted one or more times by identical or different substituents selectable independently of one another from halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl, R³ further represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl each of which is optionally substituted one or more times by identical or different substituents selectable independently of one another from amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring, R³ likewise further represents C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₂-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl and C₄-C₁₂-bicycloalkyl, the substituents being selectable independently of one another from halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkyl-sulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphimino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphoximino-C₂-C₅-alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring, R² and R³ can be joined to one another via two to six carbon atoms and form a ring which where appropriate additionally contains a further nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen atom and where appropriate may be substituted one to four times by C₁-C₂-alkyl, halogen, cyano, amino or C₁-C₂-alkoxy, R² and R³ further together represent ═S(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂ or ═S(O)(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂, R⁴ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, SF₅, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl-sulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, (C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino, (C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino, (C₁-C₄-haloalkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl, or two R⁴s, via adjacent carbon atoms, form a ring which represents —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₅—, —(CH—CH—)₂—, —OCH₂O—, —O(CH₂)₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CF₂)₂O—, —O(CF₂)₂O—, —(CH═CH—CH═N)— or —(CH═CH—N═CH)—, two R⁴s further, via adjacent carbon atoms, form the following fused rings, which where appropriate are substituted one or more times by identical or different substituents selectable independently of one another from hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio(C₁-C₆-alkyl), C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl(C₁-C₆-alkyl), C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl(C₁-C₆-alkyl), C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino or C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino,

n represents 0 to 3, R⁵ represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₆-halocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl, halogen, cyano, nitro or C₃-C₆-trialkylsilyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl or

R⁶ further represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkoxy, R⁷ represents independently at each occurrence hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, m represents 0 to 4, X represents N, CH, CF, CCl, CBr or Cl, A represents —CH₂—, —CH₂O—, —CH₂OCH₂—, —CH₂S—, —CH₂SCH₂—, —CH₂N(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-, —CH₂N(C₁-C₆-alkyl)CH₂—, —CH[CO₂(C₁-C₆-alkyl)]-, —CH(CN)—, —CH(C₁-C₆ alkyl)-, —CH₂CH₂— or —C═NO(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-, Q represents a 5- or 6-membered heteroatomatic ring or an aromatic 8-, 9- or 10-membered fused heterobicyclic ring system, the ring system being unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or different substituents selectable independently of one another from hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, CO₂H, CO₂NH₂, NO₂, OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, (C₁-C₆-alkyl)carbonyl, (C₁-C₆-alkoxy)carbonyl, (C₁-C₆-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, tri(C₁-C₂-alkyl)silyl and (C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino, Q further represents a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic or heterocyclic ring or an aromatic 8-, 9- or 10-membered fused heterobicyclic ring system, the ring or the ring system being unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or different substituents selectable independently of one another from hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, CO₂H, CO₂NH₂, NO₂, OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, sulphinyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylsulphinyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl-sulphonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, (C₁-C₆-alkyl)carbonyl, (C₁-C₆-alkoxy)carbonyl, (C₁-C₆-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, tri(C₁-C₂-alkyl)silyl and (C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)imino, or the substituents being selectable independently of one another from phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring, it being possible for phenyl or the ring to be unsubstituted or substituted one or more times by identical or different C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, OH, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy substituents, and/or the compound of formula (I) also comprises an N-oxide and/or salt thereof. and at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts, or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally an inoculant, said composition being capable of being used for reducing overall damage of one or more plants and/or plant parts and/or losses in one or more of harvested fruits or vegetables caused by one or more of insects, nematodes and phytopathogens.
 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the anthranilic acid diamide derivative is a compound of formula (I-1)

and/or a N-oxide and/or salt thereof.
 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the inoculant is selected from the group consisting of bacteria of the genus Rhizobium leguminosarum, Rhizobium tropici, Rhizobium loti, Rhizobium trifolii, Rhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium fredii, Azorhizobium caulinodans, Pseudomonas, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Streptomyces, Burkholdia, Agrobacterium, Endo-, Ecto-, Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorhizza.
 4. A composition comprising an anthranilic diamide derivative compound of formula (I-1) as defined in claim 2 in combination with at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts, or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, optionally in the presence of one or more inoculants, capable of being used for reducing overall damage of one or more plants and/or plant parts and/or losses in harvested fruits or vegetables caused by insects, nematodes and phytopathogens.
 5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the plant part is a seed and/or a plant emerging from the seed.
 6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the seed is from a conventional or a transgenic plant.
 7. The composition according to claim 5 wherein the plant is a horticultural crop selected from the group consisting of carrots, pumpkin, squash, zucchini, potato, sweet corn, onions, ornamentals, medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, tomatoes, spinach, pepper, melon, lettuce, cucumber, celery, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnip cabbage, kale, radish, rutabaga, turnip, asparagus, bean, pea, apples, raspberry, strawberry, banana, mango, grapes, peaches, pears, guava, pineapple, pomegranate, garlic, capsicum, chili, radish, star fruit, tapioca, walnuts, lemon, mandarin, mangold, mushroom, olive, orange, papaya, paprika, passion fruit, peanuts, pecan nuts, prune, pistachio nuts, persimmon, pamplemouse (grapefruit), eggplant, endive, cranberry, gooseberry, hazel nuts, kiwifruit, almonds, amaranth, apricot, artichoke, avocado, blackberry, cashew nut, cherry, clementine, coconut, and cantaloupes.
 8. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the plant is a broad acre crop selected from the group consisting of cotton, corn, soybean, cereals, canola, oil seed rape, sugar cane and rice.
 9. A method for reducing overall damage of one or more plants and/or plant parts and/or losses in one or more of harvested fruits or vegetables caused by one or more insects and/or phytopathogens comprising simultaneously or sequentially applying a composition comprising compound of formula (I) and/or N-oxide or salt thereof as defined in claim 1 and at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoas, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes and botanical extracts, or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, and optionally at least an inoculant on the plant, plant parts, harvested fruits or vegetables.
 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the plant part is a seed or a plant emerging from the seed.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the seed is from a conventional or a transgenic plant.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plant is a horticultural crop selected from the group consisting of carrots, pumpkin, squash, zucchini, potato, sweet corn, onions, ornamentals, medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, tomatoes, spinach, pepper, melon, lettuce, cucumber, celery, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, kale, radish, rutabaga, turnip, asparagus, bean, pea, apples, raspberry, strawberry, banana, mango, grapes, peaches, pears, guava, pineapple, pomegranate, garlic, capsicum, chilli, radish, star fruit, tapioca, walnuts, lemon, mandarin, mangold, mushroom, olive, orange, papaya, paprika, passion fruit, peanuts, pecan nuts, prune, pistachio nuts, persimmon, pamplemouse (grapefruit), eggplant, endive, cranberry, gooseberry, hazel nuts, kiwifruit, almonds, amaranth, apricot, artichoke, avocado, blackberry, cashew nut, cherry, clementine, coconut, and cantaloupes.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plant is a broad acre crop selected from the group consisting of cotton, corn, soybean, cereals, canola, oil seed rape, sugar cane and rice. 